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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

“Of War and Song” by Benjamin McIntyre

Submitted to Contest #188

Of War and Song “So, what’s the catch?” James eyed the recruitment poster with a mix of apprehension and curiosity. The edges of the paper were frayed, and the colours had somewhat faded. But the image of the stern-faced soldier in uniform still had a powerful effect on James. The chance to travel the world and be paid to do it seemed like a good deal, nearly too good to be true. Many men were being asked to serve and join the war effort. Even Charles, James’ good mate, had joined and had looked pretty good in his uniform as he said hi...

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“Catch of the Day” by Aidan Spence

Submitted to Contest #188

“So, what’s the catch?” The eyepatched merchant leaned over her counter and looked me in the eyes, smirking. She lifted her hand and pointed behind me, wryly stating, “Must be a big one, if you’re using a damn pickup truck to bring it in.”               I turned my head back to look at the truck I’d backed in front of the stall. The Angle Bay Fish Market was bustling with activity that day; just your average Saturday out here, really. I was sure that some of the potenti...

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“NFL Pass for Albie” by Louis Dorman

Submitted to Contest #188

“So, what's the catch?” Asked Gertrude, hunching over her 2004 Gateway computer, on the phone her grandson bought her around the same time.“Ma’am, that's the best part! There’s absolutely no catch at all.” Said the friendly voice on the other end of the line. “All we need is the first four digits of your social security number, and we can get you started.”“Wow!” Gertrude thought. With Albert's birthday coming up, this was the luck she needed. Finally, a break. Finally, a time to- “Wait... The first four?” She asked.“Yes, ma’am. Just the...

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“The Thing We Weren't Taught” by Cora Anne

Submitted to Contest #188

“So, what’s the catch?” “I’m an upper middle class, white, professional woman, dripping in privilege, and I still can’t find the courage and security to speak against the misogynistic mindset that drowns me. That’s the fucking catch.” Everyone looked at each other and nodded quietly.  “You all know I'm an ER Doctor, and even though I walk into a patient’s room, talk to them about their malady, give them the treatment plan and introduce myself as Dr. Lansing, the nurse tells me later they are still asking when they will get to see the ...

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“Firestorm” by Nick Baldino

Submitted to Contest #188

“So, what’s the catch?” he said as he toyed with the RC Sailboat. It wasn’t like any he’d seen before- most were made of plastic and gears, but this one was sleek and wooden, with yellowed canvas pulled taut against the mast. The antiques dealer chuckled and smiled. “This isn’t Needful Things, sir. No curses or charms, I can assure you that. At Barton’s, we only buy and sell the best.” “Who sold you this, then?” He was now searching the bottom of the boat, feeling the flex of the miniature rudder with his fingers. As an accountant, he k...

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“Jumpin' For Joy” by Arnold Edwards

Submitted to Contest #188

JUMPIN' FOR JOY "So? What's the catch?" It was a simple enough question, or at least I foolishly thought so. But the question was directed at two classical morons, who perceived nothing past their won privileged needs and wants. My bad. So here I am, lounging on a vast field in Southern Illinois, waiting for the foolishness I signed up for. Again, my wrong. The sun desperately attempted to squeeze through a thick layer of threatening clouds and succeeded to the extent that the sky was kissing the horizon in the distance. Thirty of us wer...

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“Chrono Catastrophe ” by Summer Chiu

Submitted to Contest #188

“So, what’s the catch?” Jonas probed inquisitively with uncertainty. “There is no catch, regardless of the outcome of the experiment, eighty-five thousand dollars is all yours!” the man in a spectacle with a thick white frame answered with a confident and persuasive tone. He leaned forward slightly, making eye contact with the volunteers to emphasize the importance and worthiness of the project. Kate and Jonas exchanged glances, with their eyes meeting with a sense of doubt and confusion. “Both of you were brave enough to volunteer f...

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“Kids do the Darnedest Things” by Kimberly Walker

Submitted to Contest #188

So, what’s the catch? No catch, I swear—famous last words before being embarrassed by a supposed friend. Children are meanest in the fourth grade, I think. To be the butt of the jokes, you are always last to get it. Suppose you are eleven, 5’6’’, and a female who transferred midyear to a school for typically normal kids. Most sixth graders are only just reaching five feet. Maybe I am just too trusting or even more gullible. I had long hair, but I learned early not to wear it loose and flowing because someone would put gum in it; even wearing...

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“Edited by AI Mann” by Jeremy Zentner

Submitted to Contest #188

“So, what’s the catch?” “No, catch,” she said. “You’ve already made the ten-thousand security deposit. After that, we just request that we are given five percent of your estates in your will.” “Is that all?” I asked. “Seems like a small number. I’m not a rich writer like all those YA authors.” She snickered. The robotic female named Lindsey-97 snickered. “In all honesty, it’s easier for Quantum Steel to make a profit the wider our customer base is, than to sell to a few affluent clients,” she said. “And… will it look like you?” I asked...

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“The Rhapsody of Reality and Desire - Part Two” by Mahogany Ree

Submitted to Contest #188

“So what’s the catch?” “What do you mean, what’s the catch? “On my birthday, a few friends surprised me with a table for this year's Zulu Ball in New Orleans and I need an escort.” “An escort?” August smirked. “You know what? Forget I asked. I’ll just go by myself like I originally planned.” I was irritated. “You so goofy Ivory Renee.” August’s voice sent my body into an intense orbit but I managed to keep myself composed. “Oh, so we’re using my government name now?” How in the hell does he even know my government name? He’s your b...

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“The Catch? ” by Chloe Rierson

Submitted to Contest #188

“So… what's the catch? That’s too perfect.” I hear her say.  I pause for a second, none of them have ever asked that. What is the catch? Ohh, the catch. The catch. The catch. The catch.  Well… I guess the catch is me.  Am I the catch? I smile with a smile that's been practiced to perfection, although maybe it looks like a smirk, “Me,” I take a small step towards her as her eyebrows scrunch in confusion.  “You? I- I have a husband.” she says hesitantly, taking a nervous step back. I love it when they try to come up to...

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“The Catch” by Mad Bluebird Productions

Submitted to Contest #188

“So, what’s the catch?” Destyn Owen asked. Her words hung in the air as Leo Hawthorne got up from his chair and walked around to the front of his desk. He wore a three-piece suit that cost more than the apartment complex Destyn lived in. He was one of those GQ model-looking types whose private lives were never private.  “What makes you think there’s a catch?” Leo asked. “I lined out exactly what I need from you.” Leo leaned against the edge of his desk, folding his arms and flashing a debonair glance that Destyn was sure he thought w...

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“I Can Help” by Hannah Carmichael

Submitted to Contest #188

Title: I Can Help Written by: Hannah Carmichael A bang sounded throughout the school hallways as the locker door slammed shut. "Guys let me out! Let me out!" The small boy screamed as he banged his fists against the inside of the locker door.  "Wimpy Nelson wants to get out." One of the guys mocked. Their laughter echoed throughout the empty hallway as they walked away. Nelson was more than furious this time. This was one too many times and it pushed him too far. Hot tears streamed down his face and he sniffled. He took off his gla...

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“The Ugly Sister” by Phineas Andrews

Submitted to Contest #188

“So, what’s the catch?” I said while leaning against the roof of Simon’s tired car. The roof nearly too hot to touch under the summer sun. Lately our conversations always took place outside car; Simon’s A/C no longer worked, and we hardly spoke during our drive with the windows down.“There’s no catch. Like I said, I just need you to entertain her sister during our double date. Besides which, she’s doing it a favour for her sister, so there’s absolutely no expectations on your behalf.” Simon said, his foot on his tire and resting on his knee,...

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““Teamwork.”” by Kate Wellman

Submitted to Contest #188

“So, what’s the catch?” Amira raised her eyebrows at her boss.  She had been planning her next heist with her boss. But even after hours of fleshing out the plan it all seemed too simple. “Well, I cannot lie to you, I have left out a final detail.” The boss folded his arms behind his back. “Our spy institution has been receiving more recruits than ever, now that the word spy has its own place in pop culture.”  The boss sighed, “We no longer have enough people to train them the traditional way. And so, I must request that you...

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Contest #188

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