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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

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

Posted in Dialogue on Mar 3, 2023

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✍️ 96 stories

“The Bench ” by Trevor Caswell

Submitted to Contest #188

“So, what’s the catch?” he asks. “There isn’t one.” I try to smile at him across the bench, but he doesn’t see it. His thoughts trail must be trailing off again.  I watch the wrinkles spilling from the corners of his eyes squeeze into tight lines as he squints off into the distance. “It’s completely up to you, though,” I add, trying to hide the excitement in my voice.  “But.. why would you? I mean – after all the pain that I’ve caused you.” He drops his face into his hands and rubs his forehead. I catch him stealing a qui...

7 comments 7
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“Between the Neck and the Knees” by Susan Grant-Suttie

Submitted to Contest #188

Between the Neck and the Knees.  Douce I de Gévaudan, comtesse de Provence born 1101 By Susan Grant-Suttie ‘So what’s the catch?” thought Douce I de Gévaudan, comtesse de Provence, as it always came down to something between the neck and the knees.  Her young servant woman, Bruna, giggled then scratched her hair through her headscarf, most likely it was the persistent head lice that was bothering her. After sucking a piece of meat out from between her teeth the Bruna then leaned in for some exaggerated privacy to...

4 comments 4
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“The Catch ” by Aubrey Tabor

Submitted to Contest #188

“So, what’s the catch?” was the first actual sentence out of Mrs. Benson’s mouth. New clients are always apprehensive, but Mrs. Benson had an ora about her that was giving off something else. I couldn’t quite put my finger on it. If I had known where the next hour would take me I would have gladly left my finger cradling my pen and sent Mrs. Benson on her way. But isn’t that how all stories like this begin? An unanswered question. That leads to more questions. That will eventually lead to an answer. Even if that answer is one we wish we had ...

4 comments 4
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“Prompt Problems” by Kevin V

Submitted to Contest #188

"So, what's the catch?" I heard as my apartment door suddenly flung open and my neighbor across the way bounded in. Tucked under his armpit looked to be a large roll of newspaper. "Ron, we've talked about this," I said as my heart rate slowed to normalcy. "You need to knock!""Why Pete? You don't knock when you come over.""But I don't come over…""Well that's not my problem, now is it?"I dropped my head onto the table barely missing my coffee. I really, really hoped for a better day. I completely and totally made a mockery of last night's...

12 comments 12
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“Mission Partner, Recognition, and Disappointment” by Emilie Ocean

Submitted to Contest #188

“So, what’s the catch?” I ask Malcom—my boss—crossing my arms over my red suit jacket as I arch a dark eyebrow, unimpressed.“There’s no catch, Becs,” he grumbles in a deep voice, the unlit La Prosa cigar stuck between his yellowed teeth bobbing in my face.“There’s always a catch,” I remark, my rouged lips pouting at the word.I graciously turn around, nonchalance a second nature of mine by now, to be on my way. The heels of my matching red stilettos clacking loudly through the tiled hall, the echo bouncing off the walls to announce my coming....

2 comments 2
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“So What's the Catch?” by Sharon Farnsworth

Submitted to Contest #188

So What’s the Catch? he pondered. Ben Mattingly sat in a leather chair behind the impressive ball and claw mahogany desk that was passed down from grandfather Mattingly, a highly successful attorney in Columbia Heights, Washington D.C.. Ben was respectful of his grandfather’s reputation and knew the sacrifices he had made to make sure Ben enjoyed the finer things in life. Between the stacks of paper on the right, he felt for the pipe and lighter he left this morning before his doctor’s appointment. The tobacco pouch contained a special ...

9 comments 9
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“Swapping Spirits” by Nicki Nance

Submitted to Contest #188

           “So, what’s the catch?” Bix followed Sienna out of the bathroom and into their bedroom. They straightened the bed together. “I don’t see how you can take this curse off me without me having to go through a trial or make a sacrifice.”           She shook her head and chuckled. “You watch too many movies.”           “I’m serious, Sienna. I see how powerful you are. You g...

2 comments 2
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“Cookies & Monsters” by Victoria Grace

Submitted to Contest #188

“So, what’s the catch?” “What do you mean?” “Like, what do you have to do now?” “What do you mean, ‘what do I have to do’?” “What’s Harry making you do that you got to leave early?” “Ha, oh. You don’t even want to know.” “That bad?” “Mrs. Palumbo.” “Noooo.” “Yup.” “That’s vicious.” “She needs her AC fixed, her window is broken somehow, and she said there’s something going on with the lights. So I’ll probably be with her most, or all, of the day Monday.” “Well, make sure you bring your headphones.” “It doesn’t matter...

3 comments 3
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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...

5 comments 5
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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...

1 comment 1
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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...

1 comment 1
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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...

5 comments 5
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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...

1 comment 1
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“The Catch Cat” by Max French

Submitted to Contest #188

(Warning: The following story contains subject matter that involves Mental Health, Light Alcoholism, non-graphic but slightly physical violence/unintentional self-harm. DO NOT FRET This is NOT a gore piece, or violent for violence's sake.)The Catch CatBy Maxwell K. French“So, what’s the catch?” Rocky questioned the strange gentlemen standing in front of him.Just days after being relieved of his position at the Sactown Height’s Gallery for Fine Art, Rocky bumped into two mysterious figures. He was walking home from the liquor store late at ni...

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“'So What's the Catch?' ” by Victoria Worthington

Submitted to Contest #188

“So what’s the catch?” asked Erica. “If he’s so dreamy, and clearly seems to feel the same way about you, ask him out Liv.” “Don’t be ridiculous” I intoned, before even thinking about my response. I had come away from my second lesson earlier that afternoon wondering what on earth came over me, feeling embarrassed, thrilled and, of course, guilty, in equal measure. I had acted like a hormonal teenager, flirting unashamedly. I hadn’t meant to, it just happened. I had giggled at anything I possibly could, accidentally bumped into him when ...

0 comments 0
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