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Set your story in a post office.

Posted in Fiction on Aug 18, 2023

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✍️ 36 stories

“Retire Now” by Patrick Davey

Submitted to Contest #212

“Hello,” said a cheerful voice belonging to nobody I know. A stern look on my face usually wards them off. I have nothing to gain from greeting you, Mr. Random Man, as you are leaving. Why is that even considered polite? You are leaving and I am arriving. As with two ships passing in the night, merely avoiding each other should be the proper protocol.This line is so long. No wonder that guy was so happy. At least he is proof that the line does indeed move. How much longer until the next customer leaves? The sweat forming beneath my undershir...

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“The Ryokoshi Post and World War II” by Ryokoshi City

Submitted to Contest #212

12/X/1941 So much as happened in such a short time, Japan launched an attack on Pearl Harbor and now we’ve declared war on them. There’s so much war going on already and now it’s on our doorstep! I can’t help but tremble at the thought of it, all the bloodshed that’s to come, but I put on a brave face at work. The last thing anyone needs is a trembling waif manning the post office counter while they’re trying to keep it together themselves. So many people came in today to mail off letters to friends and family on the West Coast, fearing fo...

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“Progression” by Kurt Edmiston

Submitted to Contest #212

As far as lobbies go, there are probably less inviting ones in this universe. Specifically, the DMV and prisons come to mind. But Jeff needed to be here in this beige box to get some closure. As he queued up behind the tired, poor, huddled masses of people with their boxes and papers and envelopes, he took note of the ancient signage adorning the even more ancient walls, the unmatched government floor tiles, the flickering fluorescence, and the disappointing number of people who would be helped before him. Though technically in line, he st...

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“C. O. D .” by Hazel Carter

Submitted to Contest #212

Kathy lived and worked her whole life in Wheeling, West Virginia. She worked at the local post office as a mail carrier. The carriers walked “the beat.” Most of the mailboxes are either a slot on the door, by the door or lined the sidewalk. Kathy entered the post office to pick up her mail bag in order to start her day. “Joe” Kathy called to the man that sorted the mail, separating the bags for the carriers. Joe did not answer, Kathy looked around the corner in the mail room and did not see Joe. “Joe!” she called out again, this time Joe ent...

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“Admin Work” by Robert Garrett

Submitted to Contest #212

Rafe was a trapper. He didn’t do admin work. This was admin work. Those were his thoughts as he heard the bell clang while opening the door to the last post office on the planet in Sitka, Alaska. It was his first time here and it was even more depressing than he imagined. The drab lobby had at least four different shades of gray for the floors, counters, walls and uniforms. It was a small room, maybe able to accommodate a line of 10 people. But behind the counter you could see it opened into a vast warehouse. And you could definitely smell t...

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“Big spider web of connections” by Katriina Kuusela

Submitted to Contest #212

It was Friday morning. Char was sipping her take-away americano, when Marshall, her boss walked to her. He wanted her to teach the new kid who was arriving any minute all the basics in the office. Char had worked in the most popular post office of Brooklyn for over 4-years and training the newbies was part of her current role in there. “Remember to teach him how to have fun too! We don’t want any serious energy here do we!” Marshall was no typical of a boss. He was the funniest, most humorous boss Char could’ve ever asked for. When she came ...

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