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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

“Aquamarine of Sapphire Skin” by Emanuel Diaz

Submitted to Contest #188

"So, what's the catch?" asked Vassilis, the leader of the group. Glauco Ponti shrugged, holding up his basket of fish. "Just the usual suspects. Some sardines, a few octopuses, nothing too exciting." Dimitri smirked. "Come on, Glauco, don't hold out on us. You always manage to catch something interesting." Glauco shook his head. "Not this time, boys. Just another boring day on the water." But just as he said that he felt a strange tug on his line. It was stronger than anything he had ever felt before, and he struggled to keep his foo...

2 comments 2
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“38 Special” by Shawn Luther

Submitted to Contest #188

"So, what's 'The Catch'?"   Silence fell around the table.  Varying degrees of disbelief and pity played over the faces of the other four men sitting with him.  Stewart felt his face redden at the apparent indiscretion he just committed.  The situation was exasperated by the very real confusion he felt concerning their reactions to his question.  "What?" Kent looked around at the others.  "Is he for real?" "Sadly, yes he is.”   Trevor lowered his head, his hand held over his heart.  A twinge of ann...

1 comment 1
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“The Catch” by John K Adams

Submitted to Contest #188

“So, what’s the catch, Mom?” Marilyn hated Adam’s incessant disputing everything she said. ‘Six years old, and such an attitude.’ Giving birth was the easy part. She gained no status from that task. Adam kept her playing catch up. Always one, no, ten steps behind. How did he get so smart? Though glad of that, his sharp tongue exhausted her. To Adam, she could do no right. Before he could talk was really hell. “It’ll be fun. You’ll see your friends. And make new ones.” She knelt beside him. “You’ll learn new things… reading, writing. Your wor...

6 comments 6
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“Escape to Eden” by Ryan Does

Submitted to Contest #188

So what’s the catch? Weaver thought to herself as Director Horton stood behind the podium for her speech to the Astraeus crew of 112 personnel. The director’s well rehearsed monologue continued, “After the upcoming months of training, you will all be ready to embark. The Astraeus mission will be the first long range mission in the history of space exploration to establish a permanent settlement off Earth. This crew includes experts from across the globe in every necessary field for a self-sustaining outpost amongst the stars.” Weaver leane...

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“Free Ride” by Pam Patterson

Submitted to Contest #188

"So, what's the catch?" The sign said "Free Passage to Earth!" I had to admit that I had never heard that one before. I'd seen lots of signs near the port saying things like "Cheap Flights!" and "You cant beat our deals!". They were all scams, but I had never seen anyone who thought that the general populace was stupid enough to believe in a free ride. The owner of the sign put his elbows up on the shelf of the window of his kiosk and leaned out. He didn't look like a slaver, but then again, they never do. He looked me up and down, takin...

3 comments 3
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“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 ...

7 comments 7
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“A Pit of Flowers” by JM Daisy

Submitted to Contest #188

        “So, what’s the catch?” these where the words echoing in grace’s mind as she stared blankly down at the brown wooden box that her grandfather now laid in. He always used that same phrase when people would share bad news with him. He knew there was always good and bad, but more importantly he knew that there was good in the bad. All you had to do was find it, and that is exactly what she was struggling to do. It had been almost an hour since the funeral had ended, and she was still stuck staring...

1 comment 1
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“They Called It Guppy Love” by Carly Kelly

Submitted to Contest #188

“So, what’s the catch?”  “Pun intended?” I snorted, as Billy launched his line back into the still lake. There had not been a single fish in our direction the entire morning, and to be honest, I was relieved. I didn’t know what I would do if either of us caught something; I despise fish. I had only agreed to come with Billy because it seemed like the only way, I was going to ever get a date with him was if he was unaware that a date was taking place. I preferred to keep his knowledge that we were on a date with the fish; far away a...

6 comments 6
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“SO.....WHATS THE...” by Garrett Buendorf

Submitted to Contest #188

So what's the catch? there's always a catch with these type of things. somebody says write something and you instantly obey. why? what do you get out of it? a quick dopamine hit? well, i'm not going to. I refuse. you wont catch me writing. wait... hey! what are you doing! are you writing down what i'm saying? stop that! nobody wants to read some random guy talking about how he wont write. your not going to stop? wait... you have to write everything i say. hmm... well try this on for size.... The smell You know, the one that goes roun...

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“Bearing Gifts” by John Lente

Submitted to Contest #188

“So, what’s the catch?” “No catch, sir!  Just fill out this contest entry form for your chance to win our very finest hardwood gazebo kit and free professional installation!  But today is the last day to enter, so it’s a good thing you came in today!” Sunny proffered her cheap blue pen to Frank to go with the index card entry form and tiny clipboard already in his hands.  He looked from the pen to her red and white nametag to her puffy, smiling face before taking the pen and filling in the usual blanks. “Why the hell not...

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“Circus” by Margie Gaffron

Submitted to Contest #188

Circus “So what’s the catch, Kid? The show doesn’t start for a couple hours. You wanna buy a ticket early?” “No, I don’t want to buy a ticket. I want to join the circus.” “Ok Kid, I’ve heard that before. You want to join the circus. What do you think you want to do?” “I’m not sure. I like elephants. I’m pretty good at working. I could learn to do all kinds of things.” “Don’t tell me. You’re running away from home and you read the book Toby Tyler.” “How did you know that?” “Kid, this is kind of a daily occurrence for me.” “It is? So where ar...

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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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“The Catch” by Brett Gibbs

Submitted to Contest #188

“So, what’s the catch?” Bastion, towering leader of the heroic Aegis team asked, reclining behind his desk as much as his high-backed chair would allow. “Excuse me?” Artemis detected a note of accusation in his tone. Her bow and quiver rested upon the wide marble surface between them, next to Bastion’s blue, articulated mask. “What does she want?”  Bastion persisted. “My job? Yours? Perhaps a… Vision-craft, or Vision-cycle?” His lip curled into a wry half-smile. “For her Vision quests?” Artemis snickered despite herself. “Boss, maybe ea...

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“Choke Chain” by Sarah Dean

Submitted to Contest #188

"So what's the catch?" Those had been the words I'd asked Merrick when he'd dangled the key to immortality in front of my face. Not just immortality but power. I hadn't known such a simple thing could have such damning consequences. Though I supposed back then, I was naive and hungry. Willing to listen to anything if the price fits me. Was the price worth it? It was so dull. It was like the whole world was wrung of life the second the cold metal that now hung heavily around my neck, was first locked in place. Ever since that day, I’d bec...

1 comment 1
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“Immortality ” by Mahtan Runya

Submitted to Contest #188

"So, what's the catch?""The catch?""You're offering me immortality. There's got to be a catch.""Oh, you sweet summer child. Of course there's a catch. I'm offering you immortality. "A beat passes. "Well?""Well, what?""What's the catch?""Immortality.""...Wut."The cloaked figure leaned forward. "Dear one...you still don't understand, do you? I'm not offering you a gift.""But…you're not asking for payment. I was expecting like, my firstborn, or my eyes, or whatever soul I have. You're not asking me to kill anyone or manipulate something, or lik...

0 comments 0
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Contest #188

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