Check out the winning entries in our 16th annual 55 Fiction contest
Sixteen years ago, we invented an odd little short story genre and called it 55 Fiction. It was simple. You had to write a story. You could only use 55 words. We knew you could do it. We were right.
With this, our 16th annual 55 Fiction contest, we present the winning stories for 2002, chosen from thousands of tiny tales that poured in this year from as far off as Portugal, Malaysia, Japan, and even Iran.
Were continually amazed how writers keep mining the genre, each year coming up with new literary nuggetsquirky plots, unusual twists, and telling takes on the human condition, stories of murder most fierce and love unrequited, creatures of darkness, hearts in transition, inner demons, outer limits, distant laughter, plus plenty of hot tears, cold steel, and a body or two.
Fifty-Five Fiction stories distill the world and all its grand absurdity into 55-word literary treats that deliver suspense, wisdom, humor, and horror with astonishing economy.
Both New Times and the Sun invited stories from readers, which brought work from even more Central Coast writers. And they did a pretty good job of taking on the worldhalf this years winners are from the Central Coast, even though they made up less than 25 percent of entries.
But thats not surprising. After all, they have the advantage of living right here where 55 Fiction was born, although being pretty good writers probably had something to do with it, too.
Our thanks to everyone who entered. And our congratulations to all our winners.
Winning stories from this year and previous years can be found on our Web sites, newtimesslo.com and santamariasun.com, along with further information about 55 Fictions plans for world domination.
DRIVE BYE
Christines gone. Shes with John now.
She was a stunning beauty; a traffic stopper in great shape. Everybody loved her.
I cant lament the decisions that drove me to give her up. Besides, I needed the money and John had always wanted a 57.
Ill never forget how she looked with her top down.
Nancy Woodard
San Luis Obispo
SAY SOMETHING
The subway lurched, throwing her into his arms.
Hes strong, protective, loving, she thought. Well marry at a seaside resort and have four beautiful children.
He lifted her up and smiled. Ill always be faithful. When were old, well travel the world together.
The train slowed. She moved to the door.
"Thanks."
"Dont mention it."
Chris Orcutt
Mount Vernon, NY
FLIGHT TRAINING
Ahead, the 747 turned west, the captain climbing safely above its wake turbulence.
ATC said, "United 674, turn left to 265."
The captain turned without compensating and we sank into the turbulence. Shudders became jolts, then something broke and our 747 rolled.
The simulator reset the instruments.
I said, "Watch your altitude, Mr. Atta."
James M. Murphy II
Lompoc
AT THE AUTOPSY
"Victims blood is completely drained, apparently through two small puncture wounds in the neck," said the coroner.
"Hey
you dont suppose its, you know, the real deal?" asked his assistant.
"No, just some psycho."
"You sure?"
They stared at each other for a moment, then burst out laughingbut stopped when the corpse laughed, too.
Ross Lesko
Lakewood, OH
GLASS SLIPPER
I awoke early this morning. Earlier than usual. I looked at your picture. I broke the glass in the frame. I put it in my shoes. I looked at the clock. I broke the glass of the clock and put it into my pockets. I walked all day. All I can think of is you.
Brian Ivie
San Luis Obispo
DEATH TRAP
The growing hatred between Mary and Robert was such that a killing was inevitable.
Mary had a plan, baiting Robert incessantly in the hope that he would kill her.
The note he found after he shot her read, "Thank you, Robert. Doctors had given me only two months. I hope you rot in prison forever."
Ernie Glenesk
Santa Maria
WELL BE BACK, RIGHT AFTER THIS
Beth went through some Growing Pains.
Unfortunately, she learned The Facts of Life from Perfect Strangers.
She was never taught that Family Matters. Quickly, she realized that Threes Company and moved out.
And to make matters worse, Everybody Loves Raymond. Thats her friend.
But like she told her mom, "I Love Lucy."
Jill Manni
Smithfield, RI
PAYBACK TIME
I woke up on the couch with a stiff back.
Quietly, I eased into bed and lay there without sleeping, replaying our argument. Beside me, Karen writhed, screamed, trapped in one of her night terrors. I always woke her.
Tonight, I let her suffer and savored my revenge.
Chris Patton
Hermosa Beach
A PARTY FOR INNOCENCE
Persuasion enticed her there. Music played. Harmony danced with Rhythm. Charm brushed a hand across her cheek, attracting Desire.
She thought she heard Sincerity; it was Seduction. He introduced Lust. Party over, the guest list lay forgotten like her.
She read that Love had declined to attend.
Honor had not been invited.
Innocence is gone.
Deirdra Barnes
Seattle, WA
ALEX AND ADAM
Alex, an aged almsman, articulated an afterthought.
"Always address agnostics amiably and answer atheists affectionately."
Adam, another aged almsman, addressed Alexs absurd aphorism, asking, "And after an apocalypse?"
Alex alluringly assumed an agreeable air and answered Adam: "Apocalypse and afflatus are amazingly abstract areas
affection and amiability accomplish ample acquiescence and alleviate anger."
Adam agreed.
Jeremiah Jacques
Asheville, NC
DEVELOPMENTAL REVENGE
Richard steps through the door. The smell of whiskey touches off memories of his fathers hand across his younger face. He is surprised he found the house still standing. He had willed it gone.
Richard picks up a rock.
"For you, Dad."
A window breaks. The walls will soon follow.
His mini-mall will stand here.
Christine M. Ahern
Los Osos
FLIGHT OF THE MOCKINGBIRD
May 14, 1940
Dear Jean Louise,
Thank you for your recent letter. Like most folks in Maycomb, I was deeply saddened by your daddys passing. Id be honored to walk you down the aisle.
My best to Jem. Good to hear hes doing so well in law school.
Warmest regards.
Your friend,
Boo Radley
Paul Alan Fahey
Nipomo
INSIDE OUT
They had known each other a few years.
She was nice. He knew she liked him.
But she was just average-looking. He couldnt settle for that.
One weekend, she asked him to the movies. She was intelligent, funny, easy to be with.
After four months of dating, she became a stunning beauty.
John Bassi
Santa Maria
SHIFT WORK
"Youre still here? Wheres Dr. Jones?"
The Emergency Room is busy. Im pissed at my missing replacement.
"Hes late again," I say.
"Hey, Doc! Face versus windshieldbetter come quick!"
Cursing to myself, I yell at the charge nurse: "Page Dr. Jones again!"
As I intubate, I hear Jones pageron the patients belt.
Erica Schalow
Atlanta, GA
ONE YEAR LATER
"Good morning, Eva."
"Morning, Sheryl."
"So hows your garden doing?"
"Growing like a weed!"
They laughed.
"Im sure its given you a lot of comfort since Henry disappeared," said Sheryl kindly.
"Actually," said Eva, "I often feel he never really left me at all."
Her roses were unusually large that summer.
Martha Phillips
Madison, WI
RUDE INTERRUPTION
I began writing my 55 Fiction story when suddenly a loud humming arose outside. I opened the door to finda space ship!
Four tiny creatures emerged. I invited them in for tea. I told them my story idea. They said it was boring and that I should write about them instead, so I did.
Nathaniel Nauert
Santa Maria