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#246: All Fun and Games

We all know the saying “it’s all fun and games” — and the perhaps less-used ending, “...until someone loses an eye.” There are many variations of this saying, but they all boil down to a similar idea: play has its time and place, but things may take a turn for the worse if you’re not mindful.

This week’s prompts are inspired by games and play, and especially that strange territory when something lighthearted suddenly turns more serious than intended, asking you to find the golden balance between the pursuit of fun and its consequences.

This week's prompts

Write a story that includes the phrase “It’s all fun and games…”

Dialogue – 58 stories

Set your story in a playground: two characters are having a serious conversation while on the seesaw/in the jungle gym/on the swings.

Angst – 83 stories

Write a story about someone participating in a seemingly innocent game that suddenly takes a turn.

Dark – 62 stories

Write a story about someone who takes a joke way too far.

Character – 26 stories

Write about a character who treats everything like a game and struggles to be serious when they most need to, or vice versa.

Character – 17 stories

Stories

“Ding Dong Ditch” by Daniel Legare

Submitted to Contest #246

Lou wasn’t sure what made him more nervous, the dilapidated house with broken down cars and metal scraps as a lawn, or the encroaching darkness of the forest slowly closing in on him as night fell. He rubbed his left knuckle with his hand and swallowed a lump. “Are you sure about this Reggie?” “Don’t be such a wimp. Just do it!” Reggie said. “What if they call mom and dad?” “We’re all the way down Marlow Road, whoever lives here has no idea who we are.” Lou looked at the house and wondered if it had been beautiful once, with dark green pa...

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“Until someone loses a shoe” by Sorina Bascoveanu

Submitted to Contest #246

- It’s all fun and games, said the bald man. The sun stood behind him like a golden shadow of his skull. - Follow me, please, mind the two steps. The hall was darkening as they were getting ahead. She felt the slippery surface with her soles. Good thing she was wearing her good shoes. She loved those all leather shoes that she got from her mom. At the end of the hall came the two steps she has been warned about. They were well covered in thick darkness and a viscid unfamiliar substance. - The keeper awaits. - Th...

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“Teeter-Totter Tiff” by Murray Burns

Submitted to Contest #246

Teeter-Totter Tiff(Insensitive treatment of the weight-challenged.) It stands as an integral part of the colorful history of Jefferson playground, a standoff of epic proportions, a historic test of stamina, a battle of will and wit. It was Eastwood vs. Van Cleef, the Roadrunner vs. Wile E. Coyote, Ralphie vs. the kid with green teeth, Westley vs. Prince Humperdinck, Batman vs. … well, you get the idea.Looking past the 3-seater swingset, the monkey bars, and the merry-go-round, under the fading light of the setting sun, a distant observer may...

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“The Duel” by M.R. Simon

Submitted to Contest #246

The relaxing inmate is disturbed by the red flashing light in his cell.“Bro! Tell me it’s not you!”says the prisoner next to him.“Yeah! It’s me.”says the big guy as he sits on the edge of the bed.“Don’t worry you can win. You can beat this game!”“I don’t think so”Two guards and a priest comes to his gate.“Get up, face the wall.”says one of the guards.“So politely asked.”After facing the wall, the gate starts sliding on the left. His cell neighbor is crying like a little puppy.“Man, I can’t believe it’s already your turn.”“Don’t worry about m...

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“Cue the Neighbor” by Joe Smallwood

Submitted to Contest #246

Oh, you could talk me out of it if you seriously tried. I’m half expecting it. It’s a sideswipe away.As in something you never seriously do! Don’t you get it? Why do you always look at me that way? Like I don’t know what I am doing. Be serious for once!Systems analysts could problem-solve everything in half a second. Like I’m doing now. Whether they are human or not doesn’t matter. I don’t even know half the time!But look at it this way: you want a payoff, right? An Elationship? Perfect.Wuz! Slow tech! Five seconds till the sim payoff, and I...

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“One Orange Drink” by Jacqueline R

Submitted to Contest #246

Warning: Use of profanity Amy’s Bedroom “Hey Amy, should I wear the purple or the black top?” “Hmm, maybe the black one. The purple doesn’t go with the pants.”“What if I change the pants?”“Don’t! These pants make your ass look fantastic!”“You’re right! What was I thinking? You know I’m really excited to go out tonight. It’s been forever.” “Right! Ever since you started dating Nick, you haven’t gone out with us.” “You know, this’ll actually be our first time going clubbing together as a couple.” “Oooo? Really?”“Yeah with w...

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“Mike Buford's Last Life” by AR R

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #246

I’m standing on the corner of 48th and 8th outside of Duffy’s Ale House, waiting for Buford to light a cigarette, knowing that, like most things he attempts, eventually he’ll succeed. But it won’t be easy. Not because it’s complicated, but because Buford complicates the uncomplicated. He creates pitfalls and snags and obstacles if only because Buford won’t attempt anything unless it’s handled like one exhaustive, endless, mind-numbing game.“You have to fuck them to win, Muck,” Buford says, cigarette dangling from his rubbery lips. And they a...

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“Flaming Bag of Poop” by Liane Fazio

Submitted to Contest #246

FLAMING BAG OF POOP Martie came back with another round of drinks and set them down on the table. Without a break in their conversation, the other four ladies grabbed their drinks off the serving tray. “What did I miss?” she asked. “Janey was just complaining about Tom, aka, our idiot boss who keeps getting complim...

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“The Final Casualty ” by Keke Peek

Submitted to Contest #246

It was just supposed to be a simple fun game. Nothing serious right? I mean who gets hurt in solving a fake murder case? Today marked just a few days before my birthday. The anticipation was palpable among my small group of friends. Birthdays were never a big deal for me – no parties, no gifts, nothing special. My parents couldn’t care less either. Serenity, my closest friend, was as excited as I was. She was my favorite person, my confidante since forever. Two peas in a pod as they say, similar yet different. Seren enjoyed a good drink or...

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“Beachside Banter” by Marianne Knight

Submitted to Contest #246

Ropes snaked along the arrivals gate; a crumpled sign read Mr Hugh Jarse. Britt craned her neck, tiptoeing to see over the crowd.“Very funny,” Britt turned to see Max smiling in amusement.“My original version said I have herpes, and you might too,” she said shoving the crumpled paper into her pocket and throwing her arms around his shoulders.“Always a charmer.”“You love it. That’s why we’re friends.”Fighting through the crowd, they weaved their way through the airport. Britt stole a look at Max who’d filled out a little since the last time s...

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“The Ultimate Prankster ” by ER Castaneda

Submitted to Contest #246

"Ahhh!!!" she screamed, as the dark figure in a Jason mask popped out from a hidden corner in the hallway. She kicked the figure in the groin. The figure clutched his groin in pain. "Hey!" the figure yelled. "It's me!" "Justin?!" screamed Stephanie as she searched for the light switch in the dark. Her fingers finally grasped the switch and she flicked the light on. "Are you kidding me?" It's three in the morning. I have been begging you to stop these awful pranks." "What's going on?" asked Mark, her husband, stumbling from the master room in...

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“Red Puddles and People, December 23rd of 1948” by Jeffery Young

Submitted to Contest #246

Reverend Hugh Gregory and Doctor Malone Trenton stood upon the docks, huddled in a circle around a twisted lump. In their companionship was a distraught Sheriff Boris Osipov, hands clasped firmly behind his back as he viewed the lump analytically. His blue coat and hood were soaked like sponges, his brow furrowed over beady eyes. Another person, the town’s medical practitioner/postwoman, Iris Henness, was crouched over the lump. She mumbled to herself incoherently, her deep blue eyes and sharp features cutting the drizzle as it found her. Th...

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“LEGEND: THE ZEPHYR PEAK MOMSTER” by Melinda Madrigal

Submitted to Contest #246

It's all fun and games until someone disappears. Two years ago, me and a group of my friends decided to have some fun. What we didn't know was how bad things were going to get. Sleepy Hollow is my small little quaint town nestled against Zephyr Peak. The most beautiful mountain range in the world. A dream town for anyone. As in every town there are secrets, legends no one ever wants to talk about. Some take these legends at face value. Others do not. I for one don't believe anything at face value. I have to see it to believe it. All througho...

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“It's All Fun & Games Until the Moment It's Not and Someone Gets Caught” by Elysa Casselman

Submitted to Contest #246

IT’S ALL FUN AND GAMESUntil the Moment It’s Notand …Someone Gets CaughtI try to trace my past to the exact point this began. I question whether there was something I could have done, to have altered the trajectory of my life. My firstborn is no longer present. Well, he is not lost, per se. He could be tracked, for after all, he smokes me out, despite my best efforts to remain veiled. My son is one of the many we conceal and camouflage from; he is part of the nasty group that ensnared us in this viscous game of hide-and-seek. Not the “G” rate...

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“Sardines ” by Jill Martin

Submitted to Contest #246

Sardines This year at Billy’s birthday party when Billy said it was time to play Sardines, I felt kind of nervous. It’s such a fun game. But. I didn’t want to be laughed at for picking too easy of a hiding place if it was my turn to hide. You only get a turn to hide if you’re the first person to find the one hiding. Last year they all laughed at me for hiding behind the living-room curtains. And I didn’t want to be the last person to find everyone else, and have them laugh at me for being so slow to find them all. That happened the yea...

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$250

Prize money

245

Contest entries

99

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Apr 19, 2024 EST

Won by Sarah Coury 🏆

Title: Hearts Are Trump

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.

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