16. The Innocent Joke Gone Wrong

A joke, a prank, a Halloween ritual still resonating from childhood.  A fake skull imitating the real thing.  Jason mentioned the simple plan, and Shelley was (surprisingly) onboard.  His brother would die laughing.    

15. Trifecta Editors Get Chatty

Lisa:  Look what I found! 

David:  I’m lovin’ the crooked teeth.

Lisa:  (nods)

David:  You know what we should do? 

Lisa:  Make it a writing challenge?

David:  Yes! 

Lisa:  (winks) An inside joke! 

14. What Was Going Through My Mind

It was odd that he wanted to show me this skull and teeth on our first date, but he was in dental school.  At least we were in his bedroom—that was good. 

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33 words about a photo

13. Mrs. Bad Taste

Do you ever suddenly hate all your possessions?  Your clothes mock you, “What were you thinking?!”  You hate your picture frames, your dish towels, your alarm clock.  You have inhabited someone else’s world, and that person is:  Mrs. Bad Taste. 

Mrs. Bad Taste currently wears a rocket t-shirt from Target.  She also has a fondness for faded black sweatpants with a small hole in the pocket.    

Mrs. Bad Taste makes you want to trade in everything—dishes, socks, lamps.  You look around your house, the house you were very comfortable in—was it only yesterday?—and want none of it.  Who bought this throw pillow? It doesn’t look like anything you’d pick out. 

You want to gather up everything and mark it with the label:  Yuck-o.  You are feeling depressed and simultaneously industrious; you scoop up the offending items and set them in a box by the door.    

Your friend Angela knocks.  “Ready for coffee?” she chirps.    

“I forgot!” you say, apologetically, “Two seconds!”  You zip into the bedroom to change.      

You reappear and notice Angela trying not to go through your Goodwill box.  “What’s this?”  

“Some junk I’m getting rid of,” you shrug.  “Can we stop by Goodwill so I can drop it off?” 

“Sure.”  She smiles a tight grin, a grin that wants to say something else. 

“Angela, it’s okay, if you don’t have time to—”  

“No!  No, it’s not that … I just really like that seashell picture frame, and if you’re getting rid of it,” (her voice childlike), “can I have it?” 

“It’s yours!  Please, take whatever you like!” You hold out the box enthusiastically, and you instantly regret it.  She likes everything in there. 

You now like everything in the box, too.  Through the Angela-filter, everything you hated is now attractive.  You’re having a serious case of Donator’s Remorse.  It was all a big mistake!  I’m a fool!  Angela, step away from the box!    

“I’m dying for that coffee,” you prod, trying to distract her, “let’s go.” 

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the word is:  fool

12. Icarus

My clever father created beautiful feather and wax wings for my escape.  And escape I did!  Drunk with the power of flight, I ignored his silly warnings.  Then the wax melted. 

Shoulda listened. 

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re-tell a story in 33 words

11. Snow White

Résumé

• Name: Snow White
• Previous employment history:  Worked in mental health ward, responsible for seven men
• Education:  PhD in Psychology, Fairy Tale University
• Skills: Escaping evil
• Objective:  Marry a prince or win lotto

10. Goldi

She showed up on his doorstep, frazzled and lost.  Nobody home.  She made herself comfortable.  Too comfortable.  When he and his parents returned, they were (predictably) not happy.  Good thing she was beautiful. 

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re-tell a famous story is 33 words