Set your story in a world where the currency isn’t money — or at least not money as we understand it.

Posted in Fantasy on Aug 12, 2022

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✍️ 62 stories

“The Payment” by Jeneane Vanderhoof

Submitted to Contest #159

Werner didn't want to think about losing the house. He had known the time was coming, when the banker would be knocking at the door asking for payment. Every morning as the household woke he found himself praying to the God’s (he didn't really believe in) that today wasn't “the day”. On the day, that finally was, “the day”, when Werner heard the knock it was accompanied by the scatter of the presence of every other in the house. They all knew what a knock at the door meant. Something bad. The bank would be seizing one of them, as p...

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“A World of Memories” by K. M.

Submitted to Contest #159

The market town bustled with people, someone bumped into me and I jumped out the way of someone else almost walking right into a man. “Watch it girl,” the small stout man, who I could only describe as frog-like, growled. “Sorry,” I exclaimed grasping my black pointed felt hat to my head as a cold wind blew through the cobbled street. “Over here,” Blake shouted from where he sat on a barrel in front of the book shop, his deep black fur shimmering purple in the late afternoon light. I hurried over and he jumped down as I pushed open the ...

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“2,047 Wages” by Mary Duke

Submitted to Contest #159

She hadn’t realized that Ferrin was so young. Ferrin had been on the island before she was born. Diara remembered mother saying something about him arriving to Duskrik the same year dad’s favorite work horse died, and Berna would have been three at the time so...about 17 years ago. She thought long and hard, Ferrin couldn’t have been older than her cousin Richard who was about 35? She couldn’t be sure. Either way it wasn’t often that a man under 35 had a missing fore-arm and an eye patch. Diara was sitting by the window in her room. The hous...

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“Happiness” by Cassandra Nichols

Submitted to Contest #159

At 6:25 am on the dot, my alarm started to chime out into the dark of my bedroom. The shrill buzzing sound pierced my ears, waking me from my dreamless sleep. I sat up and pulled away the dull grey linen sheets off my body. I peeled off my slept-in clothes and got into my outfit for the day. White shirt, black pants, black socks, and black shoes. From the top of my dresser, I took out a small pair of diamond stud earrings, an heirloom from a great grandmother on my mother’s side. Today was a special occasion, so I felt the justification that...

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“Give Me "Credits" For This Purchase” by Joseph Monachino

Submitted to Contest #159

The universe is vast. The 100 human beings on the spacecraft destined for planet “Sorial” are grateful for this fact. Their beloved planet, earth, has been destroyed by Armageddon. The 50 males and 50 females are thankful for their fortuitous situation and fate. But they are puzzled as to what world they will be living in the rest of their lives. Will it be utopian? Or will it be dystopian? Their journey will be 2 days before they arrive there. The humanoid commander will educate them as to the world they...

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“you don't need money” by James Mckinley

Submitted to Contest #159

You don’t need money The world was evolving, the ideas and concepts of the 20th century were fading as a new generation of people began to mature. The designations of Generation X, Generation this that or other was lost. The invention of cyber currencies that were derived from computer generated algorithms had come of age. As computer savvy teenagers and 20 something young adults began to find more creative ways to engage in commerce, the governments of the world were falling behind. The use of coined money and hard currency was being repl...

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“Douglas - A heart shaped locket ” by V JHD

Submitted to Contest #159

Where we see walls, she would imagine trees, she would tell me where each one was and the shade of green shining through the sunlight. All these words that we only ever heard of in history books, she talked as if they were right in front of her. Grandmama saw light in the corners, wind in the quiet and stars beyond the walls of our world.All my life my Grandmama had a way of seeing, that left us all in awe. Today of all my days, I long for the sight she had to make this dawn less stoic.I look to my left where he would be standing, but he isn...

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“Kaleb and the Bazaar of Odd and Peculiar Things” by Matthew Angelo

Submitted to Contest #159

Kaleb stared at the amount of papyrus and books on his desk. The pen in his hand quivered as the amount of scribing he had to do overwhelmed him. Kaleb scribbled a few more sentences before scooting back in his chair. Pinching the bridge of his nose, he sighed rather dramatically. "There has got to be a faster way to do this," he said, knowing there was no one around to hear him. Not that it mattered, as the only other person in the library this early was Mistress Kana, who lost her hearing after the last dragon war a decade earlier. It di...

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“Fair Trade ” by John Passadino

Submitted to Contest #159

Sammy's talent on the guitar would have rivaled that of any musicians on old Earth. Now, on planet Alcatron, the new Earth, only three known musicians were left. First, there was Sammy on guitar. The second musician was known as the symbol @ on flute. Last, a Droid called King Solomon played piano for the Alcotronian Emperor, Interstellar the Great. It was two hundred years since earthling guitar legend Jimi Hendrix played his Fender Stratocaster guitar with his teeth, behind his head, and lightning fast. Since then, people on the planet Alc...

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“Angel Noir” by Scoop Rittersblock

Submitted to Contest #159

Forget everything you’ve ever heard or read about Angels!After The Fall and The Angel Wars the very D.N.A of these illustrious Beings was transformed. Certainly, this is true for those who were left behind after The Ascension and whose ghastly features and behaviour rendered them unrecognisable as the Legends of Biblical and New Age Renown. I guess that’s why meeting John Lampstander-or J.L. as he liked to be known-was so transforming and healing for me. I first met him in an Angel bar as I was slumming it downtown on a wild and s...

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“Stamps” by Murray Burns

Submitted to Contest #159

StampsThe sight was disturbing, overwhelming. Matt froze in his tracks, shaken by the scene before him. His first thought was that he would somehow die in this awful place. He didn’t know how he would die, but he knew he couldn’t survive it. The moment foretold an inglorious end to what had once been a pretty good life.Sixty-five grown men stuffed into one large room, two to a 7’ x 10’ cubicle, bordered on one side by bunkbeds, desks and lockers on the other, and open at the end. Sketchy looking neighbors in full view just 4’ across the ai...

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“Clocking You To Death” by L.C. Harlan

Submitted to Contest #159

Clocking You To Death The night just started, and this guy was already being obnoxious. It was only a quarter to eleven and he was stinking drunk. The guys he was with were trying to buy me off with 1000 “clocks” and a can of Enfamil. That wasn’t even going to cover gas to get home. These guys must think I’m some kind of joke. “C’mon guys, seriously, beat it. I can’t let your friend in. The rest’ a you guys can come in, but your friend has to go home, I’m sorry. Besides, 1000 “clocks”? Uh uh---------and Enfamil? I already h...

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“The Cost of Living ” by Kevin Alphatooni

Submitted to Contest #159

The name’s Xander, and let's just say I make a business out of helping others. They come to me, sick, weary, and wanting, and I make their wretched lives better—much better than what they could do on their own accord. You see, I got powers that can grant most wishes, and people like that about me. They seek out my office in the basement of a no-name, dirty back-alley bar—frequented by those with nothing to lose. Don’t be so judgmental; I got class. I’m a respectable businessman, don’t be annoying. I dress better than you ever could: fitted...

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“Closed Mouths Don’t Get Fed” by Crystal King

Submitted to Contest #159

By the way the man tapped on the door, you’d suspect he was a bit apprehensive. He stood tall and lanky; with tanned face that proved he spent more time knocking on doors than inside of them. He was taking a fresh new approach to the buyers market. Mr. Case only gave a few moments before he began descending down the stairs; and onward with his solicitations. The woman peered through the peephole and opened the door to see his back turned away from her. She smiled to herself; as she often did. Before he made his turn fo...

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“You Need Service Credits” by Joseph L Floyd

Submitted to Contest #159

You Need Service Credits Regina Highborn stood to her feet, took a deep breath, looked around, and shouted, “Hey, where is everyone?” “Can’t you see I need help?” “It’s probably tea time!” Ean McMurphy popped his head up from beyond the hill in the distance. He turned back and surveyed the land. Then, a hand slapped him on the back and said, “Sounds like we got a new resident today.” “Sure, but I am not taking on any new disciples,” Ean replied. “I believe it’s McDuncan’s turn.” “She only has eight and needs at least two more.” “Ri...

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Set your story in a world where the currency isn’t money — or at least not money as we understand it.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 62 stories

“The Payment” by Jeneane Vanderhoof

“A World of Memories” by K. M.

“2,047 Wages” by Mary Duke

“Happiness” by Cassandra Nichols

“Give Me "Credits" For This Purchase” by Joseph Monachino

“you don't need money” by James Mckinley

“Douglas - A heart shaped locket ” by V JHD

“Kaleb and the Bazaar of Odd and Peculiar Things” by Matthew Angelo

“Fair Trade ” by John Passadino

“Angel Noir” by Scoop Rittersblock

“Stamps” by Murray Burns

“Clocking You To Death” by L.C. Harlan

“The Cost of Living ” by Kevin Alphatooni

“Closed Mouths Don’t Get Fed” by Crystal King

“You Need Service Credits” by Joseph L Floyd

🌟 Similar prompts

Start your story with a character accepting a bribe.

Write about somebody down on their luck who unexpectedly comes into a large amount of money.

Your character checks their balance at an ATM and is surprised by the number they see.

Write about a character who’s never encountered a problem they couldn’t buy their way out of — until they do.

Contest #159

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

216

Contest entries

88

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

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