Set your story at an antique roadshow.

Posted in Dramatic on Mar 31, 2023

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✍️ 26 stories

“antique love” by Evan Schoettle

Submitted to Contest #192

Throughout the years of driving the same route to and from work not much changes in the way of scenery with the exception of random roadside construction. One of my favorites for some reason was that of a tree company. The pronunciation to this day still eludes me. I would see them everywhere. There was something about the sheer volume of organized destruction and speed that amazed me. Like a storm they came in with little warning, made their noise and onto the next location all with the minimal amount of disturbance...

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“The Artificial Alliance ” by Samantha McWilliams

Submitted to Contest #192

*Warning: Profanity* Joz did her best not to let the disdain for the bustling antique roadshow leak out of the corner of her eyes. Here, in a rough n’ tumble place such as this, weakness would only get her into trouble. The massive dome structure was a buzz with the gravitational pull of hovering tables and billowing flags. She held her head high, familiar with the thrum of caustic calls bouncing off the interior – each vendor raising their voice to beat out the seller next to them. Here she was again, stuck amongst the rusting corpses of...

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“From Before The Downfall” by Amy Rosenthal

Submitted to Contest #192

She waited her turn and looked around at everyone in the crowded hall. Tables littered with bits and bobs were scattered throughout the space, over which experts chatted with patrons about their treasures. Even more owners waited to determine if what they believed to be priceless was instead worthless. A child wailed and screamed somewhere nearby, setting everyone’s nerves on edge during what had already been a long day waiting in lines to get to the check-in desk, then waiting in another line to get into the exposition hall, and then waitin...

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“Thrown for a Loupe” by Michael Clark

Submitted to Contest #192

Stephanie was buckled in the back despite pleading and begging and whining and even crying. She glared and pouted really hard when Gramma Bea refused to let her sit in the front seat. Her grandmother was usually a push over. Apparently, safety was a line she drew. So Stephanie sat in back with her legs crossed, her sketch pad and pencils in her lap. Her backpack was loaded with all sorts of accouterments and paraphernalia, which her mother had tried heartily to convince her were unnecessary. But when her grandmother had come, the battle was ...

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“Antique Roadshow” by Mary-Elizabeth Cockcroft

Submitted to Contest #192

I wandered along to the Antiques Roadshow just to basically have a bit of a stickybeak to see what was happening. It has been a long time since leaving the Police force, but you cannot help it when you are curious by nature. There was a case we worked on where some antiques were stolen from a residence in Bellevue Hill, Sydney. Most of the goods were recovered except for a beautiful large gold ring that had diamonds and rubies encrusted in the star of David. At the time of the theft the house belonged to an American entertai...

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“Finder’s Keepers” by Josh Zyelinske

Submitted to Contest #192

The warm breeze of early fall rustled through the amber-colored leaves urging them into flight for the very first time. The flight was more like a graceful descent, landing momentarily on the tops of children's heads only to be brushed off to continue their peaceful fall to the ground. They crunched and crackled underfoot as people wandered through the various tents and canopies, looking for some little piece of nostalgic antiquity. A portly fellow with thick round glasses was rummaging through different small chests and boxes on his table...

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“The Box” by Kelly Jackson

Submitted to Contest #192

The serpentine of hopefuls braced themselves against the November rain, clutching their boxes, bags, and packages, firmly focused on the ancient oak doors leading into St. Paul’s Chapel. Their endurance of the bitter cold and their gaze towards the old church was indeed a pilgrimage of hope, but their path was not to God; but to the team of valuers and antiques experts who had ascended on the small town of Ironbridge for their televised antiques roadshow. Sita looked up at her mother, who winced, head down away from the driving rain. Her han...

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“Comic Book Ending ” by Brent Baldwin

Submitted to Contest #192

Everyone in the lunchroom laughed. Although he hadn’t heard what was said, eleven-year-old Larry Leonard didn’t have to look up from his peanut butter and jelly sandwich to know who said it. John Bergstrom had been tormenting him since first grade. “No one likes you loser, why don’t you sit somewhere else,” John said as he walked over to Larry’s table. “Did you take a shower this week?” asked John with a sniff, “because you stink. I bet your family is so poor that you can’t even afford soap. Haha! Stinky loser!” A...

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“Honeybucket” by WILLA HEIL

Submitted to Contest #192

They’re digging graves behind the roadshow. Three men with worn shovels and off-kilter wide brim hats dig into the red dust. Another man walks along, setting a stone at the top of each of the open pits. I take a draw of the cigarette, wet between my lips and blow out a stream of smoke. I watch them sweating as they dig. But I don’t ask why. Dropping the cigarette on the ground, I put a blue raspberry sucker in my mouth, and bite the stick between my teeth. One of the men notices me and stops digging. I raise a hand and turn away.&n...

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“HoneyBucket ” by June O'conner

Submitted to Contest #192

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“Eye of the Beholder” by Natalie Minaker

Submitted to Contest #192

The make-up artist applied the last layer of foundation to Robert’s cheeks. The lighting in Hartmere Town hall was far too harsh for his skin tone, and once the glare of the key lights was factored in, anything less than a rich bronze would leave him looking washed out.The producers had insisted that it was important for the experts on the show to maintain an aesthetically appropriate level of presentation. The guests on the other hand received nothing more than a cursory once-over from the runners before being thrust in front of a camera wi...

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Set your story at an antique roadshow.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 26 stories

“antique love” by Evan Schoettle

“The Artificial Alliance ” by Samantha McWilliams

“From Before The Downfall” by Amy Rosenthal

“Thrown for a Loupe” by Michael Clark

“Antique Roadshow” by Mary-Elizabeth Cockcroft

“Finder’s Keepers” by Josh Zyelinske

“The Box” by Kelly Jackson

“Comic Book Ending ” by Brent Baldwin

“Honeybucket” by WILLA HEIL

“HoneyBucket ” by June O'conner

“Eye of the Beholder” by Natalie Minaker

🌟 Similar prompts

Write about someone finding a treasure in an unexpected place.

Write a story about someone trying to reinvent themselves after spending a long time in a rut.

Write about someone stuck in an endless cycle who finally manages to break free.

Write about someone rediscovering something old they thought they’d lost.

Contest #192

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

248

Contest entries

144

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: