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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#19: Talking Shop

While Black Friday and Cyber Monday might be behind us, there are still weeks of shopping ahead as many of us gear up for Christmas.

While Hallmark holiday movies might have us believe that holiday shopping is a relaxed and cheerful activity that involves dipping into quaint shops with a hot chocolate in one hand and a bag of goodies in the other — we know the truth. Often, holiday shopping is a chaotic, several hour-long excursion through a packed mall, where you down cups of coffee just to keep yourself going. Or maybe you prefer to shop online, from the serene comfort of your couch. Finally, perhaps you avoid the whole thing altogether, because, like the Grinch, you know that "Christmas doesn't come from a store."

Whatever the case, it's clear that shopping can conjure up a range of emotions in different people. And your challenge this week is to capture those very emotions in a short story about... shopping!

This week's prompts

Write a short story about someone in the middle of a very long and busy retail shift.

Funny – 41 stories

Write a short story about someone searching for the perfect gift for their partner.

Romance – 60 stories

Write a short story about someone watching a convincing infomercial.

Funny – 20 stories

Write a short story about a shop that takes place over a span of years.

Narrative – 41 stories

Write a short story about someone based on their shopping list.

Character – 49 stories

Stories

“A Splash of Color” by Rob Conway

Submitted to Contest #19

The door to the gallery opened to a friendly chime. Martin stepped in the little entrance and peered around from the safety of the doorway. The gallery was new; he had not been here before. It was always strange going to a new place like this. He always felt he would be asked questions he had no idea how to answer. He was comfortable in stadiums and gymnasiums; Cheryl was always the explorer of small downtown stores.“A new place?” She was always so excited. “ Martin! Let's go. Local artists always need support.” He would follow along, preten...

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“Left” by Sarah Wetherbee

Submitted to Contest #19

Natalie ran her fingers over the front of the expensive and neatly-folded cashmere sweater. She felt sentimental, to be sure, but the feel of the gray v-neck transported her back to one of her earliest dates with Germaine. It had been the first snowfall of that winter, unspoiled and picturesque in the street lights. The half-melt of the next morning would snatch it up in tire treads and slosh it about as dismal gray city sludge during the commute. But, they weren’t thinking about that at the time. She’d accidentally left her gloves at the re...

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“Cherished” by Stevie Hugo

Submitted to Contest #19

"Just about three times a week." He said, walking me through. Mason and Munson's General store. Just opened last month, and to my good fortune they were in search for a cleaner. Also to my good fortune, my age didn't seem to bother them. The store wasn't very huge, it had five overstocked aslies, two bathrooms, a small "breakroom" in the back, and that was it. Tom Mason and Lester Munson probably figured a seventeen year old couldn't mess up that bad. And I had the training, my Dad's cleaning company since I was in kindergarten. My first acc...

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“Long long ago” by Asha Poddar

Submitted to Contest #19

Long Long AgoLong long ago, how long ago, no one knows; there was an island, abandoned and secluded. No one dared to go there, despite its luxuriant verdure. Since years the animal world lived there peacefully with no interference from the humans. Every day was a feast time for the insect world, with no fear of being trampled down beneath the heavy bulldozers. A variety of birds flourished with stout muscles and strong plumes, enabling themselves to soar high, no humans to encroach their realms. The community of monkeys chattered gleef...

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“The Shopkeep” by Shannon Meyers

Submitted to Contest #19

When I was old enough, Mother would wake me up early. Before the sun itself was awake. She would dress me, feed me, and set me to my morning tasks: sweep the floors, dust the shelves, and catch any pests I found in the books. By sunrise, the first customers from far and wide would come in and I would be off doing other things. Father handled the money while mother handled the customers. I was their little helper. When mother said I would be a big brother, I wasn’t thrilled at first. It didn’t seem like a good idea to have a tiny thing a...

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“Fox Family Armory” by Marshall George

Submitted to Contest #19

I stared at the window of the old shop one last time. Rent had gotten too high, and the city was shutting us down. I was going to miss this place. I feel ashamed that I let this business that has been in my family for generations die out. I guess people just don't need magical armor anymore.My great-great-grandfather, Alexander Fox, started this business after he snuck into a dragon's lair and found a suit of armor and an enchantment book. My great-great-grandfather noticed how many people had died because of the dragons and how weak their a...

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“The Book Shoppe” by Georgia Kent

Submitted to Contest #19

I was born in 1973 to Joan and Craig Myers. They were a rather odd couple, passionate about each other and the stories that the world held. I would listen to them everyday when they shared with each other the words of men and women who all seemed to live in their own universes. Only a few days after I was brought to life, I met Annie. I will never forget her. She was a young lady at the time, around the age of 20, and her chestnut hair bobbed around her shoulders. She seemed to glow with energy, excitement a part of everything she did.&...

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“Wick's story” by Jeanne Lejeune

Submitted to Contest #19

“Wow Stol, that job really cost you an arm and a leg didn’t it.”The young brunette’s grin was the only thing visible under the blue glow of their visor and globe of bushy hair, as they wave a hand over the shaking man’s bandaged stumps. Stol (pronounced: Stole) looks up at him from his place on the table and gasps through gritted teeth, “Just fix me, Wick.”Wick nods and turns around to pick up the cybernetic arm from the table behind him. Placing it besides Stol, he adjusts the nutrient line inserted into his veins. He turns the valve o...

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“Footprints in the Snow” by Unknown User

Submitted to Contest #19

Sarah Haj=HaririSarahaj03@yahoo.comWriting Prompt: Write a short story about a shop that takes place over a span of years.Footprints in the Snow. Footprints in the Snow “I love this ice cream parlor,” Nancy said with a great deal of enthusiasm. “I mean, the floors are old, dark wood, the structure is sturdy, the wallpaper is blue and white stripes, the fireplace is marble, and clean, and looks old. I’ve never seen a fireplace at an ice cream parlor! And the fountain...

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“Can I Stand the Test of Time?” by Anri Boyce

Submitted to Contest #19

People say things will change no matter what. Or at least that is what I heard as they passed by me. I never really understood that saying though, what did that really mean? Does it apply to everything in this world? Or just man-made items like me. I watch as everyone passes by me not so esthetic but, once they see me they smile. They look through my glass at the new sales that read “45% off the whole order.” and are eager to go in. They open my doors and are rejoiced at the sight they see. Shelves of countless items and good. Ranging from c...

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“The Bookshelf” by Heather Hewitt

Submitted to Contest #19

The Bookshelf sat at the corner of Davies St. just past the old hazel tree. The derelict store, with its crooked walls and stain glass windows had stood there for over half a century, its green door welcoming anyone who bustled in to take refuge from the cold December air in amongst the towering shelves and the pillars of hard-bound volumes that covered most of the floor, or at the little café in the corner that always had hot chocolate, or apple cider, or tea on hand for weary patrons. Mr. Edinburgh, the shopkeeper, was ancient from the day...

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“The Tradition” by Rachelle Loveless

Submitted to Contest #19

The TraditionBy Rachelle Loveless1968 "Alright you three! Let's hurry up! I've already phoned your dad, and he's waiting for you. I'm going to tell you once; you'd better behave or I'm going to spank your behinds when you get home! Come on! I've got to be at work in 25 minutes!" This was the first time of many that my mom hurriedly yelled these words. And the first time we spent the day at Sears. My name is Maggie. (Margaret for long). I'm the oldest and only girl of 3 childr...

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“Crafts and Cuts” by Taite Marie

Submitted to Contest #19

"I didn't know. I swear." Layla tells him. "Please. Let me leave." She looks him in the eyes, and lets him see her deflated expression. Officer Midwoh pulls at his blue buttoned shirt. "Please, Layla. I just need to know who he was. Why would he do this? How did you know him?" She shakes her head in her seat and with a heavy sigh she starts, "I was at the shop. The first time he came in."The bell rings, and Layla puts on a smile. "Hello! Welcome!" She says in the friendliest tone she could manage. A man moves to the side of a shelf full of p...

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“Ye Olde Toy Shoppe” by Renee Ferrell

Submitted to Contest #19

The cold wind-swept old, brown, crisp leaves off the windowsill, only to replace them with new, crisp leaves. Rushed shoppers, in woolen coats of gray, dashed into the building. The atop the door jangled, announcing the arrival of people. The toy shop was bustling with last-minute shoppers. Parents were discussing toy choices while children were playing. Ye Olde Toy Shoppe prided itself on friendliness. There were always train sets, cars, and dolls available to play with while parents sho...

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“The Holiday Riot” by Devon Maher

Submitted to Contest #19

The streets were alive with all manner of activities, the holidays were fast approaching and everyone was clamoring over each other to get last minute gifts for loved ones. A time meant for peace and goodwill was a battleground of thirsty shoppers hunting for the best any retail chain could supply. The wickedness was all around. It was worse this year than it has been before. Years past didn't bring such bloodshed to the halls of the shopping mall, but this year people were attacking one another with fists, knife, guns, it didn't matter. It ...

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$50

Prize money

211

Contest entries

0

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Dec 13, 2019 EST

Won by Kelsey Marlett 🏆

Title: Man-Eater

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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