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Write a story that includes the phrase “Rome wasn’t built in a day.”

Posted in Dialogue on Apr 21, 2023

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✍️ 27 stories

The Epiphanies of Jubu Djanx: A Speculative Book Review

Shortlisted for Contest #195 ⭐️

The Epiphanies of Jubu Djanx is Michael Pizanti’s first novel. It recounts the life of the eponymous character who considers himself a perennial wanderer, a drop-out scholar, an aspiring, but luckless, singer, a dubious saint. Djanx’s adventures are frequent and often triggered by aberrant sensorial impressions: by something seen that feels like it has already been seen. By words heard that have a double, and usually troubling, meaning. Adding flavor to the novel's 27 chapters are a collection of colorful mental heal...

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A Doll's Funeral

Submitted to Contest #195

Whenever he found one that looked serene... he tried to savor it. Though, admittedly, it was hard to really stay in such a state once he started moving the body. Particularly, carrying the bodies was always the worst part. He'd noticed over the years that it never got any easier, not mentally or physically. Often he'd heard people speculate: the lighter the body the easier the work. But lighter, usually just meant younger...He didn't agree with their sentiment but he usually just nodded along. This particular girl, maybe three days old—...

30 likes 30 comments 30
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Trampled Dreams Part 2

Submitted to Contest #195

Trampled Dreams Part 2 (Second half of first chapter in my unpublished novel “A Brilliantly Scathing Life”) As he rode away from Kendra Potter's wagon party the trail leader mulled over who masterminded that outfit. Surely, not that greenhorn who got himself thrown from his horse this morning. He wondered why anyone who had obviously put so much forethought into travel accommodations had overlooked common sense things like foot and head wear. And why did her widow garb already look so tattered? He was pretty sure the shawl had been cut from...

30 likes 32 comments 32
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Rome Wasn’t Built…

Submitted to Contest #195

More than twenty years ago, I trudged through a rain-lined street that led to a shop where I was about to start my new job. It was a day early in December, not quite cold enough to be comforted by a blanket of snow. A fog hung like a damp cloak in the air and the streams that ran through the town were full almost to the brim even before they spilled into the dark flowing river. Before I left home, I’d had a hard job deciding what to wear that first day as the new manager of the charity shop. In the end, I had opted for a smart pair of trouse...

24 likes 20 comments 20
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Michelin Start-Up

Submitted to Contest #195

“I can’t believe I fell for another of your stupid ideas.” “How was I to know they had guard dogs.” “You plan ahead, you muppet! You survey the location, jot down times of comings and goings, and discreetly make enquiries as to their security setup.” “I did all that! Even made friends wif one of the secretaries, Jan. I’d bring her sandwiches each lunchtime, and we’d sit on that wall just below us, talking.” “And…?” “You know. What she did on the weekends, what films she’d seen. Normal chitchat.” “Anything about operating hours, security came...

19 likes 23 comments 23
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Maev and the Gift of Flight

Submitted to Contest #195

Maev let out a frustrated sigh. It had been three months. Three months and she hadn’t been able to master a single spell. She stared at her red, shiny scaled hands hoping they could give her an answer. Groaning Maev flopped back onto her bed.  It’s not fair! she thought sullenly. She had been given this gift, or more a curse rather, that had transformed her into a dragon. It had been her ticket to get into the most prestigious school for spells & incantations in the Kingdom. Before she could run circles around all those naturally gi...

18 likes 6 comments 6
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Strangers Like Us

Submitted to Contest #195

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” Tearing away from the quizzical brown eyes that peered into mine as their gaze soon traveled to my lips; breathing out a rumbling sound as if it were a natural response when met with that newly formed seductive grin. My bottom lip became a fixture right between my teeth, trying to keep the memories of the kiss there before logic could set it. And when it did, I ceased all actions as my brow returned to a furrow. None of this made sense, ESPECIALLY the glaring red flags that were screaming “strange...

18 likes 8 comments 8
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One Unread Message

Submitted to Contest #195

"Why did you bring him here? Why did you bring him to me?" He said, dropping the phone upon the desk.Valid questions. I have to admit that there is never a good time to show up with a body close to death and a hope that it be ushered back to life."Who is this? Why didn't you let the professionals handle it?"More valid questions."I need you to restore this boy.""He obviously needs help. But, there are people who do this. I am not one of them. This is not what I do.""Yet.""What?""This is not what you do yet.""What the hell am I supposed to do?...

16 likes 6 comments 6
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The Body Man

Submitted to Contest #195

If digging graves was easy, then everybody would do it. It wasn’t the first time the thought had crossed his mind, and certainly wouldn’t be the last. If he were a brave man, he’d stand up to his mother and tell her just that. Jack was no coward, but he’d known better men who’d gone toe to toe with Nettie Sims. Their only consolation had been divorce papers and a bus ticket out of dodge. Instead, he solemnly took the lasagna pan, from her gloved hands, rinsing the remaining bubbles and a stray bit of burnt noodle down the drain. Jack’s mothe...

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The Bizarre Case of Randolph Berger

Submitted to Contest #195

 Randolph was possessed with delusions of grandeur since he was a young teen when a voice in his head promised he was destined for greatness. The voice vows to speak to Randolph periodically but he must be patient until the time is right to receive prominence. Then he would begin basking in the joys of his rightful place in the world and be superior to all humans.  He was currently in a mental institution as he had been most of his adult life. He was sometimes placed in a padded cell and wore a straightjacket when suffering on...

15 likes 4 comments 4
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Children Aren't Raised in a Day

Submitted to Contest #195

When Charles was born, I heard the strength in his cry. The way he gasped deep breaths and tightened his fists, he was strong. I knew he was going to be a fighter from the moment I heard his first scream. What I didn't know is how much he would have to fight. Within seconds of his birth, Charles was whisked away by the nurses. They carried my baby down the hall and reassured me he'd be taken care of to the best of their abilities. I did not feel comforted. My baby was diagnosed at birth with Trisomy 21. His heart needed surgery within what f...

14 likes 6 comments 6
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Pieces

Submitted to Contest #195

“Is there somewhere else you need to be, Justine, dear?” I looked up from my smartwatch to find Ms. Ortiz studying me the way old people do, with her nose pointed south and eyes peeking over wide-rimmed glasses. Little judgment lived behind her eyes, though, and instead, a spark of familiarity glistened. Like they held a secret. But maybe that was how grandma's eyes looked. Not that I would know, because I’d never met either of mine. “Uhm, well,” I started, but realized there was only one acceptable answer. Apparently, Dad had informed Ms. ...

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The Virgin

Submitted to Contest #195

Asantewaa washes her face three times after brushing her teeth with charcoal and the petiole of a banana plant. She then turns to Ama, who stood there with her hands folded, just watching her mum finish brushing before she can talk. Because she was scared to interrupt her authoritarian mum. Asantewaa: Aha? What is it… Ama: I got my period today.Asantewaa: Haaa? Really?.....Asantewaa triumphed as she took her daughter to the bathroom and washed her, putting on her waist, wrist, and neck new shiny drips. And took her d...

14 likes 11 comments 11
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Bodies

Submitted to Contest #195

The cold winter air licked at Tammy's face trying to chill her from her head to her feet. That was a impossible task as beads of sweat dripped down her forehead, Tammy wiped her sweat with the back of her hand then retrieved the leg and continued to drag the body down to The basement. Each 'thump' on the steps reminded Tammy of what waited down below in the hungry darkness. Time was ticking she just needed a little more time and then she would be ready. It has been almost six months since the world went into complete chaos and the impos...

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The Vineyard.

Submitted to Contest #195

Amanda trekked home from work on Friday evening. She supposed the week had not been too bad. Her annoying boss was a total waste of space. This past few days, he had only groped her on the butt once, and had his usual infantile tantrums. Amanda was too scared to complain about Harry, this supervisor of her section. She had a reasonably useless husband of her own, plus their three children to feed, clothe and educate. She did not wish to rock the boat, times were really tough. The cost of living was increasing, better jobs were not available,...

13 likes 1 comment 1
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