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

Posted in Dialogue on Mar 3, 2023

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✍️ 95 stories

The Catch

Submitted to Contest #188

“So, what’s the catch?” Steve asked. “There’s something you’re not saying.” We were on the back deck. It was a little chilly but sunny, a typical Bay Area autumn day. We used to work together, back in the twenty-teens, consulting and coaching in Silicon Valley. He was still consulting, but the beginning of the pandemic had killed my work, and I’d decided that was a cue to give it up and do something else. Be a house-husband, tend to the yard, write a little. Hell, just play video games. He thought that sounded idyllic. I leaned over to top...

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There's Always A Catch

Submitted to Contest #188

"So, what's the catch?"  "What do you mean?" He said with a slight scoff. "The catch Dr. Hillock, what is it?" "I don't know what you're referring to, Jake. There is no catch."  "Oh please, there's no point in arguing. We both know it. There's always a catch..." ... Dr. Hillock was a scientist, not legally. Right out of college, he had been rejected by dozens of organizations, their excuses were always the same. "Your ideas will burn the world." He'd always thought they were too stuck up to see his genius...

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Say Yes to Life

Submitted to Contest #188

Act I    "So, what's the catch?"    These words flashed across my brain in bubbly, bright neon letters. But what actually came out of my mouth was…    "Yes."    Why do I do this to myself? Always the 'people pleasure.' I don't know what it is, but saying yes always feels so good. Plus, it feels easier to be agreeable with people rather than trying to do the silly back-and-forth dance of an actual conversation. I hate talking to people. Talking to other people is entirely dull and m...

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Eyes on You

Submitted to Contest #188

This story contains themes or mention of voyeurism and sexual harassment. “So, what’s the catch?”“Let’s just accept it. It’s okay for good things to happen to us.”I look at her skeptically. Is it okay? It certainly doesn’t feel okay. Nothing has felt okay in a long, long time. We have been living in this shitty apartment for three months. The floorboards creak in the kitchen right in front of the fridge, the bathroom faucet drips, the dog next door is an incessant barker, the lighting always feels low because t...

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The Power to Turn

Submitted to Contest #188

“So, what’s the catch?” Bonita asked as the vampire prepared to sink his fangs into her neck. She knew he would take the question as normal human nervousness. She was counting on that tendency to underestimate normal humans. He paused, a scant millimeter from the pulsing artery. The cold breeze of his breath raised goosebumps on her skin. Bonita shivered. She turned her head toward him in time to watch him win the internal struggle and pull back. Accusingly he said, “You already agreed to let me turn you.” “Yes, but now that it’s time . ...

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Reunion Betrayal

Submitted to Contest #188

So, what's the catch? That's what I asked myself when I received the invitation to my high school reunion. It had been fifteen years since I last saw any of my classmates, and I was curious to see how everyone had turned out. But I couldn't shake the feeling that there was something off about the whole thing. I had never been popular in high school, and I couldn't imagine why anyone would want to see me again after all these years. Still, I decided to attend. I put on my best suit and drove to the venue, feeling a mix of excitement and dread...

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Secrets

Submitted to Contest #188

*Disclaimer: This is an excerpt from a longer story not yet published.* “So, what’s the catch?” I asked. His eyes twinkled in excitement, his fingers twirling my pen. My hand hung in the air, feeling empty and hopeless. Deep down, I knew I shouldn’t even be talking to Kage right now. He was a dangerous guy. I was a weak and fearful girl playing brave soldier for the first time in my life. He thought for a moment. “I need you to get your friend to stay away from me.” I snorted. “That’s impossible.” He tucked the pen in his pocket. “I wou...

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Henry's Catch 22 The Creepy Mansion Job

Submitted to Contest #188

Henry’s Catch 22 the Creepy Mansion Day 1  Colombus Ohio June 13th, 1998: Henry Baggins is low on money at least until payday next week. His friend Riley Miller calls him about a gig that will provide enough money until next week however there is a catch.  "So, what's the catch?" Henry asked his friend Riley Miller. "Well, it's a bit of a strange gig," Riley replied, his voice hesitant. "But it pays well, and you're low on cash, right?"  Henry sighed. He had just moved to Columbus, Ohio, and he was still adjusti...

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To The Elderly Gentleman Who Flew From Florida to BWI on March 7th

Submitted to Contest #188

So, what’s the catch? I only wrote this story because I had no other address to reach him. I don’t know his name. I know only that he was the most comforting seat neighbor, kind conversationalist, humble accomplishment, and caring husband. He told me these things without saying a word.He was a sizable man, wedged between his wife and I. His glassy blue eyes acknowledged my presence, when I requested the seat beside him, and assured his wife that I, the scrawny nineteen-yr-old girl with a navy-blue computer bag and oil painting that...

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The Book of Fairies

Submitted to Contest #188

“So, What's the catch”? Arrietty asked in a shaky voice as she stared at her friend and master seemingly lifeless body. The man smiled as he walked towards her, his feet making no sound as he moved them on and off the floor. As if he was walking on air. “Catch”? He says as if the concept was utterly foreign to him. “No. No. Don’t think of it like that,” he said, “Think of it more-so like…like a gift”. “A gift”? Arrietty asked herself, her eyes following the man. His right hand ever so slightly grazes down her lower left arm before lifting u...

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Catch, Mr President

Submitted to Contest #188

“So, what’s the catch?” Jordan asked, shifting his weight from foot to foot as he picked at his nails. The girl stared at him, eyebrow raised.  “Catch?” She questioned, looking him in the eye. God, her stare made him squirm. It felt like she was turning his brain inside out and picking it apart.  “Yeah. A catch. There’s always a catch.” He insisted, grimacing at the smirk spreading across the girl’s face.  “Always? Don’t tell me the president’s son has done this enough times for there to be an always.” The look of pur...

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The Traveler

Submitted to Contest #188

"So, what's the catch?" "What's the catch?" the old man behind the counter croaked. He moved back and crossed his arms in a defensive manner and a feigned shock blossomed on his dirty, wrinkled face. His twig-like fingers grossly caressed the rotted green oak counter separating him from the disgruntled traveler. "Room and board free of charge? I'd be remiss to not think of the deal as suspicious. So, I ask again, what's the catch?" the traveler calmly asked, wiping off some dust from his denim overcoat which complemented his b...

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Iniuriose

Submitted to Contest #188

“So, what’s the catch?” asked The Man who was across the desk from Gally, and was funding the project.  “Catch?” Gally asked, “There is no catch.”  The Man looked at Gally with disbelief. “There must be a catch.” The Man said. “There is never not a catch with a project of this multitude.”  Gally looked at the man, thinking of what could classify as a catch. She then said to The Man: “Well, I guess the catch could be the secrecy this project would need throughout its use.”  “What do you think would happen if ne...

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At Least I Still Have My Shoes

Submitted to Contest #188

“So, what’s the catch?” I toss my head back, gazing up at the glittery sky above us but not really seeing it. It’s funny how one day you wake up and what used to be so full of magic just isn’t so special anymore. Like how for no discernable reason there's a million little lights dangling from some invisible ceiling in the sky and we have no idea how they got there or why they got there or why they choose to stay there for eternity, shining for us and asking for nothing in return. Some nights we selfishly soak up all their light, hoping to ta...

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Random

Submitted to Contest #188

“So what’s the catch?” Those were the last words Clark heard before he fell asleep. His Dad had asked him the question. He was in the middle of telling his Dad how perfectly imperfect his life was. Clark knew growing up that he would have a large family with a dog on several acres by the time he was 40. He was on the high school football team; living, breathing, eating, and sleeping all things football. As a teenager, he would run around telling everybody how his dozen sons would be a string of team captains for 15 ...

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