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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#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

“Just One Hundred Dollars” by Mustang Patty

Submitted to Contest #188

"So, what's the catch?" I asked. "There isn't one," he replied. "I'm feeling like there's something you aren't telling me." "No, no. I've told you everything. You give me one hundred dollars a month, and I invest it for you. At the end of the year, you will have thirteen-hundred dollars in your account with me." "Okay, that's what you're telling me. But what if you make more than one hundred dollars in interest?" "There isn't any guarantee that I'll make anything. I'm taking on all the risk, and you get all the assurances." "But ...

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“He was way too good!” by Julie Grenness

Submitted to Contest #188

Zac the Mac was ready. His name was really Zacchary MacDonald. He was in his final year of Deadbeat High School, in some leafy green suburb. He was the only son of his single mother, a nurse. She had brought Zac up to be a good Christian lad. He had stepped up to the plate to be the prayer leader of his local youth group at his church. Unfortunately for Zac the Mac, as he was nicknamed by his classmates, he was the shortest guy in their last year of high school. He had found it hard to compete in football and other sports. But he was a nifty...

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“Almost Perfect” by Sydnee Splettstoesser

Submitted to Contest #188

[Contains homophobia] Today was like every other day. Sunny, warm, content. Every day was like this in my town. A comfortable and safe place where everyone could prosper. “Lila!” A tender voice called out as I turned to be greeted by the widest smile known to man. Charlie. “Hey Charlie!” I called out in a cheery tone, making sure to shorten the distance between us. Charlie then took my hand in hers, the two of us heading to school. It was always like this, our fingers intertwined as she hummed and skipped down the paved streets. ...

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“It Was Never the Place ” by Lola LaForge

Submitted to Contest #188

Nigel was an only child brought up in the suburbs of St Louis. His parents were both college educated, successful in their vocations, and devoted to his growth and enjoyment of life. He played soccer and, later, basketball; although he wasn't particularly interested in either sport. Both of his parents, even after they divorced, attended his games and school events, cheering him on enthusiastically. Nigel was in the 70th percentile for intelligence in his grade, but everyone knew he was smarter than most. Still, by most accoun...

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“Love Makes You Blind” by Howard Seeley

Submitted to Contest #188

I always wanted to be a blues singer, but there was one problem. I was happy. I had my own home, two cars in the garage, three lovely kids, and a beautiful wife. I had a wonderful life! What more could I ask for? I’ll give you a clue. A great blues singer I knew by the name of Blind Lemon Pledge once said, “Love makes you blind, but marriage, it’s an eye opener.” No wiser words were ever spoken.Last Saturday, for instance. It was a warm sunny day and I decided to go golfing. I put on my golfing clothes and loaded up the trunk of my car with ...

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“Used Customer Service” by David B Fraser

Submitted to Contest #188

“Isn’t this the best? It’s what I have always dreamed of.” Joseph smiled and nodded at Anja. “Put the open sign in the window.” Anja handed the open sign to Joseph who took two steps and then put it in the window. “No, this side. See? Then you can turn the little sign on the door to say open, too. So, we got the big sign on this side, and the little sign on that side. See?” Joseph smiled and nodded. “Okay, let me go through it all first. We’re go...

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“Everything but myself.” by Lynn Burton

Submitted to Contest #188

It wasn't the sound of birds in the tree chirping or the wind that caressed Mary Ann's window that caused her to peel her eyes open slowly, but the blaring of her alarm that's been put on snooze for the 3rd time today. Mary Ann was a plain girl really, her life was uneventful and commonly the same every day. she'd be faced with another day of judgment and criticism. She woke up, brushed her teeth, went to school, and put up with her friends being jerks to her just so she could keep them. She was the type of friend that was kept in the back o...

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“Hidden chamber in the brain.” by F.O. Morier

Submitted to Contest #188

-"How many of you ever watched porn?" the religion teacher asked. There were about twenty boys in the classroom, whose minds were already on their lunch break. Suddenly everything in the dusty classroom seemed tense. Wary of a trap, the boys looked at each other from the corner of their eyes. Did the teacher expect the boys to answer honestly? And what would be the consequences if they did? Mr. Mars got a little impatient and frowned, "Come on, up in the air with those hands." He was a middle-aged man, with black hair that turned grey ...

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“Skeletons in the Closet ” by Morgan Dunn

Submitted to Contest #188

I have the exact job I set out for with better pay than I ever could have imagined. A perfect girlfriend whose equal parts beauty, intellect and humor. I have a house, my dream house, and a car that would make anyone jealous. I'm happy, I wish I could say my life was perfect, and it very well would be- if I didn't see the apparition of Molly, the girl I murdered. I sit in my kitchen for breakfast, Laura cooking me something with an aroma so tantalizing my mouth is watering wit...

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“OneThing” by Dannie Dane

Submitted to Contest #188

All my life I have felt held back by something, MYSELF. I have struggled with being overweight for as long as I can remember. it started out as me gaining an interest in food especially sweets like candies, ice cream, cake, cookies...etc. Me as a kid didn't really understand gaining weight, I had never thought it was a problem. my family never said anything when I had just started eating more than my body could handle. it was always. aww sweetie it's just "baby fat." or "your just big-boned you will grow out of it." "Your just thick"... my f...

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“Broken Watch” by Ryann Brasher

Submitted to Contest #188

It was 2:00 first but not too long after it was 1:43. Then 5:20…. 11:56? This watch sucks. It keeps changing direction and speed. But the infernal ticking keeps pestering me. Tick tick tick tick tick tick tick PING tick tick tick tick tick tick tick PING. I don’t know why it pings (it never did before) but it usually goes off when something almost falls on my head. It happens a lot. Falling items. I have a hunch they are trying to kill me. The first few times people said that it was an accident and apologized. Now there doesn’t even seem to ...

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“Eggs” by Harriet Phoenix

Submitted to Contest #188

My egg broke. And when I say broke, I mean all the way broke. The cracking left a jagged edge of shell, and as I poured the egg into the frying pan that edge slashed the yolk open like that scene from Titanic. I peer into the pan, knowing full well that every scrap of yolky goodness has leaked away into the white. There’s not a drop left to mix with the ketchup and form that tangy concoction that is basically the point of a fried egg sandwich. It’s actually a little impressive, how thoroughly this egg has been ruined. Still. It’s only a brok...

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“Chicken Shit Hands” by Sarah Murphy

Submitted to Contest #188

Kelsey storms into the room 5 minutes late and throws her backpack on the tile floor. My attempt to say hello is ignored as she aggressively plops down at her desk, lets out a huge sigh, and puts her head down. She is protected from the world by her hood and headphones. They act as a barrier to all of us, this school, this town, her life. This is typical for Kelsey. The rest of the class hardly looks up to see what’s going on. They continue working on their warm up because they’re used to her behavior. She’s always angry because her homelife...

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“Oops, egg on my nose!” by Odile Glatz

Submitted to Contest #188

It was the glittering night of Mr. Salman Sweeney’s award dinner for Santa Monica’s Philanthropist of the Year. He was extremely nervous, and had even arranged for his former therapist Dr. Beresford to meet him for some moral support. Salman's brother Fabian was there, trying not to be jealous of another great accolade for his older brother, when he felt just as worthy of honor, if not more. His brother’s wife was there too, Delores. She was rather icy, and Salman didn’t ...

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“Happy End” by Ryan Patumaka

Submitted to Contest #188

“So, what’s the catch?” Edith stood arms crossed looking out her window at the large rotating sign labelled 'A Happy End,' unsettled but not surprised at Judy's request. “Billy.” Edith’s distant stare draws focus and she drops her tea. “Billy is working that day. If we want to find any kind of justice for Beth we need—” With one finger raised loftily she silences Judy. “I have no remorse for Beth. Frankly, she deserved what happened to her.” Edith steps away from the window and closer to Judy. “I couldn’t care less about her...

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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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