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#188: But There's a Catch

In life, there’s almost always a catch. The beautiful new shoes cause blisters. The exciting promotion at work leaves you feeling out of your depth. The free upgrade to first class comes with a screaming kid for a neighbor. If something seems too good to be true, maybe it is!

We might call these drawbacks ‘the fly in the ointment’; the little things that spoil what would otherwise be wonderful. With this week’s prompts, we’re encouraging you to lean into those frustrations, big and small. Will your characters be able to find a workaround, or is this as good as it gets?

This week's prompts

Write a story that starts with the line “So, what’s the catch?”

Dialogue – 96 stories

Write about a character who would have complete happiness, if it weren’t for that one thing.

Character – 63 stories

Write a story about someone who is determined to not have their day spoiled — but the universe is trying their patience.

Funny – 48 stories

Write about someone who thinks they just got a great deal on something, only for them to realize…

Mystery – 32 stories

Write about a character who’s attending a dinner thrown in their honor, but deeply embarrasses themself during their speech.

Funny – 19 stories

Stories

“THE FLIP SIDE” by Ruby Zaidi

Submitted to Contest #188

" Customized breakfast coming up !" I cry as l put a plate of sunny side up eggs in front of Ron and scrambled eggs in front of Sheila . ' Wow ! " they cry in unison . I am blissfully happy. Life has truly given me the best deal possible. In a few weeks Ron and l celebrate our fourteenth wedding anniversary . We have a large staff to keep our seaside villa spotlessly clean and to cater to our every whim but l love to cook on Sundays . Our twin sons have just been selected in this exclusive residential school for boys...

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“The House that Wasn't Haunted” by Noah Aylward

Submitted to Contest #188

I got my first house for more than $10K under market value. The low asking price made my mother nag at me to get every inspection I could pay for, but after the home inspector, the termite inspector, the radon inspector, and the structural engineer all came back with clean bills of health on the property, even she had to admit I'd found a good deal. The seller, an older fellow named George, took my first offer without any haggling. He said he didn't have the energy to take care of the place anymore and just wanted it off his hands. We closed...

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“Highway Robbery” by Mad Bennett

Submitted to Contest #188

It’s not a good deal unless it feels like you’re pulling off a scam. Ash had driven off the lot in her new truck like a thief, glowing with pride tempered by only the weakest press of guilt. She’d never set out to take advantage of anybody, but it’s survival of the fittest. Don’t go selling a truck before you know its worth. She’d found her victim hosting an estate sale. Ash was no antiquer, and she didn’t go hunting for hoity-toity clothes sold at a song on account of their owner’s unexpected demise, but she liked an adventu...

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“The Miller Reaction” by Benja Catton

Submitted to Contest #188

The Miller Reaction It was bread in the form of a shoe. He pondered it despondently. There was so much he didn’t know about bread, it turned out. He wondered if it was actually more of a cake. The word treacle came to mind, but then he remembered that that’s more of a syrupy, soupy thing, and he grimaced painfully. He could imagine a shoe shaped cake pan. He guessed a person would have to flip the cake after baking it. An upside down shoe cake. The crust would be on the bottom then? The sole? What a thoughtful way to say, “You’re a horribl...

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“The Sherlock Award ” by Kelly Sibley

Submitted to Contest #188

“Lady and Gentlemen… Lady and Gentlemen, thank you. Your attention, please!” Montague was a patient man faced with an arrogant audience. “Lady… Gentlemen, please, your attention.” To Montague’s annoyance, the dining hall’s general disregarding hubbub continued unabated.“Hear yea, hear yea, time to shut ya gobs!” was bellowed out louder than an elephant’s trumpet by Whip. Montague self-consciously adjusted his cravat as the dining hall noise settled as the gas lights bore down on his reddening face, “Yes, thank you, Maurice.” T...

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“The Copperfield of Tax Accountants” by KT George

Submitted to Contest #188

There was too much food and wine and not enough good company. At least, that was the sober opinion of the evening's honorary guest. When surrounded by dozens of strangers celebrating you, you don't get much time to think things through. Your job is to show up early, make a conscious effort to connect with everyone in attendance, then make a speech proving you deserve the honor bestowed upon you. David Fields was a prodigious tax accountant with the reputation of being gifted with analysis and computations. Many thought him a magician...

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“Hoofing It” by David Gaskill

Submitted to Contest #188

HOOFING IT by David L. Gaskill “Yeah, right, but what’s the catch?” Professor Darryl Dornblazer says to himself as he spots a lar...

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“Maps” by Arrey Edwards

Submitted to Contest #188

"So, what's the catch?" I looked the old woman dead in the eye, refusing to blink first. I couldn't believe it. She looked older than I remembered. Older than she should be. My grip on reality shifted from firm to slipping to, "Ah, shit, I lost it," in seconds. I wanted to walk away. I wanted to get to Maury's Bakery and Breads to enjoy a chocolate croissant and coffee like I had planned. But it was starting to look like that particular self-indulgence may have to wait.I had taken my usual route to Maury's. There had been no reason not to. I...

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“Nick” by T.M. Kehoe

Submitted to Contest #188

“So, what’s the catch?” I didn’t trust George any further than I could throw him, and he wasn’t a small guy. We were perched on two bar stools in a dingy Southside bar that looked like every other scuzzy dive. I had a draft beer in front of me I wasn’t about to drink. George had whiskey on the rocks.“No catch. One simple favor, and your gambling debts are gone. Vanished. Like smoke in the wind.” George tried to look endearing, but just came off as intimidating. He was an enforcer for the bookie I was partial to, and I was way behind on my de...

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“Find Her” by Audrie Nehls

Submitted to Contest #188

"So? What's the catch?" I ask. "A catch? Please, Lilah, you know me, when is there ever a catch?" He responds, a smirk plastered on his face. "So, you're going to let me borrow your truck, no questions asked?" I let the keys he formerly gave me clink in my palm, reminding him how much power this gives me. "Well, I guess there is a catch...You include me, you tell me everything, not like last time, no secrets.." He stated, letting his country draw slip out towards t...

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“I'm on to you” by Eline Pols

Submitted to Contest #188

Tw: swearing, insecurities, trust issues 'So what's the catch? Jace asks his boyfriend. Nathan groans and opens his eyes. The clock tells him it's about 3:30 AM. He rubs his eyes, “huh?” Jace climbs out of the bed, grabs a hoodie and folds his arms. “So, what's the catch?” He repeats. Nathan sits up in the bed, flicks on the lights and groans. “Jace, babe, it's 3 am, am I just supposed to know what you're talking about?” He asks, slightly annoyed. Jace squints his eyes at him. “Do I look stupid to you?” Nathan looks at hi...

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“Fashion Frenzy” by Piper Smith

Submitted to Contest #188

Valentina wakes up feeling like a fashion queen, a breathtaking blend of wit, charm, and beauty. She feels like the goddess of the runway, despite not being Giselle. As the Chief of Staff for Fashion Reporter, the world’s leading fashion magazine, she has the power to make people feel confident in their own skin simply by wearing the latest expensive clothing. The day of the company’s grand fashion show has arrived, and Valentina is ready to bask in the glory and praise that she knows is coming. She rises early to the sound of her alarm, eag...

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“The Glacier Incident” by Patricia Merewether

Submitted to Contest #188

Vanity working on a weak head, produces every sort of mischief.– Jane AustenHave you ever had a terrible day when someone says, “You’ll laugh about this in the future?” Do you want to smack them with a pool noodle? Well, don't; they are right.Matt’s friend fixed us up for a blind date. We were both breaking up with our partner, so Matt and I chatted on the phone, sharing words of woes and support, and became friends.A second date also went well, lunch at a local diner, where we talked for hours. Then I didn’t hear from him for a few weeks an...

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“First Date” by KD Weinert

Submitted to Contest #188

FIRST DATE “Yes” I must have stared at that word for ten minutes. Then I put my phone face down on the passenger seat, dried my palms on my slacks, and tried to slow my racing heart. When I picked up the phone again, that word, that wonderful word, was still smiling at me. I stepped out of the car into the crisp morning air. Not a cloud in the sky. As I crossed the parking lot a flock of blackbirds burst from a nearby tree, racing above my head in one tight circle before returning to their branches, their song calling for the sun to pe...

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“The Perfect Day” by Emily Brown

Submitted to Contest #188

If Orpheus had been a sixteen-year-old girl, his tale might have had a happier ending. Unfortunately for Eurydice, few can match the stubborn willpower of a teenager with absolutely no time in her schedule for grieving. Today was meant to be her perfect birthday and a perfect birthday she would have, broken alarm clocks and ex-boyfriends be damned. “You. Will. Not. Cry.” Eliza told herself in the bathroom mirror, pointing her finger at her already tear-stained face for emphasis. Minor setbacks like a missed bus and a broken hea...

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$250

Prize money

258

Contest entries

133

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Mar 10, 2023 EST

Won by Tom Bombadil 🏆

Title: The First Idol

Submissions must be between 1,000 - 3,000 words and will be approved and published on Reedsy Prompts within 7 days of the contest closing.

Read the full terms & conditions or check out the FAQ if you have any questions!

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