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Discover weekly, the best short stories

Looking for a steady supply of drama short stories? Every week thousands of writers submit stories to our writing contest.

18740+ Drama Short Stories to read

Submitted by writers on Reedsy Prompts to our weekly writing contest. Being one of the most popular genres among the submissions to our weekly contest, the drama short stories collected below include riveting works you won’t want to miss.

Drama Short Stories – Page 918 of 1250

Anything but Elementary

Submitted to Contest #72

“It’s elementary my dear Watson!”  Det. Watson rolled his eyes. It was only the umpteenth time that he had heard that statement. “You know Sherlock never technically said that right?” He replied. “And besides, Watson was the doctor, remember?” “Who made you the Sherlock expert?” Det. Schwan asked rhetorically, but Det. Watson responded anyway. “Me, expert? Haha, yeah right.” The two departed their vehicle and entered the police station. They walked by the reception window and Det. Schwan punc...

18 likes 10 comments 10
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NOT a Philanthropist: Part One

Submitted to Contest #72

I am no philanthropist. Sure, I have millions of dollars to spare, but I’d rather spend it on my antique car collection. Does that make me sound self-centered? Greedy? Why, yes. Yes, it does.  Do I care? Why, no. No, I don’t.  According to my father, you shouldn’t trust anyone. The second you do, they’ll stab you in the back and leave you for dead, taking everything you love. So, yeah, my dad was a pretty positive influence.  But I don’t need your pity. You can take that crap somewhere else. Give it to the orphans or someth...

57 likes 14 comments 14
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No Good-bye

Submitted to Contest #72

“But that’s absurd,” Mary said. “Who would expect such a thing?” “He would,” said Gil. “Well he can’t. I forbid it.” “It isn’t up to you, dear. Or us.” Mary and Gil looked at Charlie, their son. He remained silent. He scanned the ceiling high shelves filled with books. ‘Like in the movies,’ he thought. ‘Does anyone actually read these? Or are they props every lawyer gets? Call ‘Office Décor Is Us’.’ He felt tempted to open one, to see if it were real. After reading the will, the lawyer, Mr. Gaines, left them to consult and commiserate. His ...

22 likes 2 comments 2
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The Wrong Man

Submitted to Contest #72

James was the most irritating man I had ever met. He knew all the answers and expected me to listen to everything he had to say. In my opinion, nothing he had to say was interesting. My father was a talker and I had long ago perfected the craft of not listening. I think part of it was the fact my father had a deep melodic voice that would almost put me to sleep.  It was like a trance. I tried to tell him a few times he should go into audiobook recording or teach meditation classes, but I thin...

4 likes 3 comments 3
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Invictus

Submitted to Contest #72

Focus Group: 1134Congratulations! Today is the day when you become connected to the WORLD, or world-online-recognition-lock-design. You will never be alone again! Our software is specifically designed to prevent pain and allow you the happiest life possible. So, lean back, relax, because your new life will begin installation in 3… 2… 1… The muted whomp filters through the drug induced, dreamlike haze that fills my mind. Needle-like pain trickles through my ears as the polished joints of the MediCart approach my bed, checking my breathing and...

20 likes 9 comments 9
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The Difference Between Us

Submitted to Contest #72

I woke up to the sound of my ear-splitting alarm clock. beep, beep, beep. "Is it Monday already?" I said sleepily. I got dressed and headed downstairs. "Good morning Honey!" My Mom said Flipping a pancake. "I made pancakes want any?" I sat down at the island. "Sure" She turned around and I saw the time "It's 8 O'clock!?!?" I said surprised. "Yes..." My mom said, confused. I shoved a piece of bacon in my mouth and ran out of the door. I was late for my first day of school. ~O~O~O~O I stood nervously in front of the school. "Hi! I'm Ella y...

13 likes 7 comments 7
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My fated soul

Submitted to Contest #72

I’m Ekanshi, When I was in 5-year-old, My parents died in a car accident and also I lost my vision. My uncle helped me to recover my eyes with surgery. But, aunty doesn’t like that. She thought like I had a beautiful face than her daughter so, She ordered me to wear the glasses so, I can’t take off that. Every day, Uncle was the one who save me from the torture of my aunty so, I had come out of the house after finished my school for uncle shake. Then I was working in the coffee shop as a full-time worker. That was a nighttime, a young boy en...

11 likes 4 comments 4
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Hibernate-Liberate

Submitted to Contest #72

“Wow! You’re right, Martin. This is the most crowded of all DonDates.”  “Of course, it is! I’m telling you, more people have been signing up to come over. I hear the authorizations are hitting new records, some people are even jumping two DonDates at a time.” “Martin? Hey,” I said.  “Hello. Sorry, I’m at a loss here. You do look familiar.”  “It’s Owen. From football practice? Last time I saw you was five years ago.”  “Owen! What took you so long? Where the hell have you been?!”  “Don’t ask. The prices have gone throu...

10 likes 10 comments 10
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Rapid Eye Advertising Projection (R.E.A.P.)

Submitted to Contest #72

The ads had done their job, for all intents and purposes, to introduce Joe to the sleepy line at The Perfect Cup Pod Brewers that December 21. “Who says you can't have your cake and eat it too?” An omniscient male voice says as a young mother (evidenced by the empty stroller she pushes) smiles knowingly at the young barista. “At The Perfect Pod Brewers, we don't just brew the perfect cup of pod coffee,” The voice continues as the young mother sits in a single seater next to a fire. Still no baby in sight. “For a limited time, try our line of...

6 likes 0 comments 0
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PEDRO'S CHOICE

Submitted to Contest #72

He had been nicknamed ‘Pedro’ while in America and the name had stuck. He was an athletic young man about 27, tall, fair and handsome with neatly combed hair and a trim moustache. He had gone to the USA in early life and had a degree in petrochemicals. His sponsor – a relative – had said “Pedro, you’ve a degree and experience here. I think you should go back to India. Mehrchand who is chief of Zica Chemicals is offering you a research job.” Pedro had come back to India and was part of Zica Chemicals. That was a year ago. Zica had two divisio...

7 likes 0 comments 0
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The First Thing We Do

Submitted to Contest #72

T.S. Eliot was right, Harrison thought. This is the way the world ends. Not with a bang, but with a whimper. Although his English bachelors degree had been useful in law school, now Harrison James Pellingham, III needed it for a job. Yes, he knew that 100,000 new lawyers graduated every year from varying degrees of prestigious institutions, all vying for the same jobs. Yes, he knew that only 63% of law school graduates actually found work within the legal field, while others took far less distinguished work. Yes, he knew that taking out...

70 likes 36 comments 36
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The Ripper Case

Submitted to Contest #72

Nightfall came, pouring rain beat against a decade old black Charger. The rain, fell hard and fast, making it hard to see through the window. With all the dings, the dented front fender and rust spots on the rear, nobody knew this was an off duty vehicle. In the darkness of night, beneath heavy rain, nobody noticed the lone detective sitting there, hunting a serial killer known as The Ripper.               Jackson Cross was from the south, spending most of his ca...

4 likes 0 comments 0
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Sing you a lullaby where you die in the end

Submitted to Contest #72

So this is it. I'm doing it. I'm walking up there and killing the guy I know nothing about and I won't feel guilty about it I mean, there must be a reason aunt Lacy wants him dead. Right? People don't just decide they want someone dead. Right?But hell, I'm the last person to talk about ethics and morals. Just yesterday I stole a couple of candy bars at Walmart. In my defense I was hungry as fuck and the owners of Walmart probably do not need the money as much as I do. Ask my landlord and my embarrassing bank account. So technically I am just...

11 likes 3 comments 3
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More Than a Bargain

Submitted to Contest #72

How many months has it been? Two? Three? I lost count. My friends and family have left me to rot. It seems that they’ve given up on a jobless 35-year-old man who has no future. Was it my fault that the company I worked for would close down? I spent years of my life in that tiny cubicle, slaving away for a meager salary. What did I get in return? Nothing but misery. Because of my ungodly work hours, I never had time to socialize let alone get a girlfriend or a wife. It sure is pitiful. Now, I am living in a derelict apartment that stinks...

3 likes 0 comments 0
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Charged

Submitted to Contest #72

The neighbor calls the police to ask them to conduct a welfare check on his next-door neighbor who he has not seen in a week; he also knocked on the neighbor’s door, rang his doorbell getting no response. Two police officers arrive to perform the request. After their attempts to rouse the neighbor by doorbell, baton banging on the door, they decide to make a force entry. Inside they search the lower floors then the second floors where they found the man on the floor of the bathroom, clothed, but unresponsive.      &...

8 likes 2 comments 2
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RBE | Illustrated Short Stories | 2024-06

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