The Thursday Juicer

Every day of thurs. we're going to post a little something something to get your creative juices flowing. Today's Juicer is some short story advice from Kurt Vonnegut. It's good gravy. Enjoy. 

#002

We received some feedback that posting two stories wasn't enough. The people want more. The people are hungry and apparently two flavorful fiction bites aren't satisfying enough. So we'll feature one and then under that give you some more. Sound fair? Send us an email to join the madness. New post every Monday.



Daydream Believer
by Jenny S.

Natasha had dreamt about this moment for 20 years. While other girls had drooled over Barbie’s Dreamhouse, Tash gawked into her full-length mirror; covered in bold streaks of makeup, and clothes she had outgrown 20 months previous. A turn this way, that way. Strike a pose. Work it.

And the auditions! Lose some weight; wear tighter clothes. Headshots being taken by ugly men with thick accents and even thicker mustaches.

But finally – Natasha’s dream of being an Extra had come true. Granted, she’d been standing in this position for four hours, wearing ridiculously short attire, clutching the umbrella. But to Natasha, she might as well been holding a Golden Globe.


Gimme some more...

Grounded
by Linda Gail A.

The new age garment clung to Sabrina’s body as she waited for the mighty gust of wind that was promised. The newscasters projected gale force winds, and she planned to catch them and escape the cobblestone streets of mediocrity. But she’s waited now for hours, her arm is tired, and her shoulders droop dejectedly. A navy ship arrives, and men begin to call out jeeringly. Just then, the promised wind swirls around, fills the umbrella and for a moment in time, Sabrina sails before crashing into the side of that navy ship. Then, two brown eyes meet hers and suddenly it’s the best day ever.




First Day
by Mark H.

Janelle stood on the rough, cobbled deck of the SeaBus loading platform, anxiously waiting for the previous flight’s passengers to exit. The SeaBus was one of the latest generation of ocean transports that routinely made the 3500 mile commute from New York to “near London” in just under one hour.

She arrived early – she didn’t want to be late for her first day as a sea-line flight attendant. She thought about her former life as an elementary school teacher, and imagined her kids giggling with delight and curiosity if they could see her now.

Soon she would begin her new adventure and wondered where it would lead.





Untitled
by Daniel S.

Jean waited impatiently for the man in the grey suit. He had called late last night. It had been weeks since she had heard from him, and now here she was. Waiting, with this stupid umbrella. She knew that he liked spy novels but this time he had gone too far. It had been the driest August in years and yet here she stood, wearing this ridiculous outfit, complete with her mothers white patent leather boots, waiting. It was the one thing that confused her the most about him. Why couldn't he just pick her up at seven like normal people? But, she never did like normal.




Back to the Future
by Cindy T.

“Taxi!” screeched the woman behind me.

I turned and shielded the sun with my umbrella so I could watch as the woman’s taxi approached.

I wonder where she’s going with her traveling bag filled so full that she can barely lift it. I wonder what adventure awaits her as she leaves this desolate location.

I long to travel and to see the sights I have only heard about. As her taxi approaches, my umbrella and I walk away down the path we have always walked and have always known. Someday an adventure will be mine.




Late Again
by Christopher D.

Emma Lou was frustrated. It wasn't the first time Carl "Dance Daddy" Mullins had been late. He made his own schedule. One appearance on Star Search and he felt immune to the rules.

Last time Carl came by plane but missed his connection in Hoboken. Emma Lou didn't buy it. She might believe him if he hadn't already been late by taxi and helicopter. Today, late by riverboat. 

The only thing concerning Emma now was getting Carl off that boat, in the car and up to Kings Island. They need to be on stage performing "A 50’s Tribute" in forty-two minutes. Singing in the Rain wasn't going to sing itself!




Wun I Beijing
by Stephen T.

The last known picture of Susan Gray and her sister Serena surfaced today discovered in an archeological dig near the ancient city of San Diego, California. Zweeb 08479 discovered what experts believed to be a “digital camera” and fortunately equipment still exists to recover the data from these devices.
Long thought to be the last two survivors in the massive attacks launched by China against the then United States of America, this proof now confirms that they had believed the bogus message sent by the Chinese instructing all then American citizens to “wait outside for further instructions on departure.”




Contrived
by Trish R.

She perched with her parasol on the wet cobblestone. Let's see, (she mused to herself), "How do I make this look real? I am hailing cab with my umbrella… who would wear this silly outfit in the rain anyway.. I can't believe I lost 50 pounds so I could be a model. Now here I am and this scenario is so obviously contrived.. .oh, well I did meet the photographer who was on the same diet as me… he said I had good legs... he is going to take me to a granola restaurant for dinner... we will live on a diet of love…”

#001

We're off and running. Thanks to everyone who submitted. The current plan is each Monday we'll feature new stories here on this blog and immediately send out the next photo via email. If you didn't receive that email and want to join this experiment, drop us a line: 110words.admin@gmail.com

The two feature stories show great contrast in style and content. Hope you enjoy. Looking forward to what you send in this week.


Run for the Gold
by Mark H.

Although Elmer Ploddin and Merle Swampy were the Cinderella Team of the 29th Olympiad, their hopes for Olympic gold were dashed in the finals of the Synchronized Beach Traffic Directing competition. Ploddin and Swampy had forged their partnership in the crucible of rush hour traffic in Rabbit Hash, Kentucky.

Former Olympic gold medalist Armsa Wavin dissected Ploddin and Swampy’s performance. “As you can see, Swampy landed in the surf with both feet for an immediate five tenths deduction,” said Wavin. “You can step on the line between surf and turf, but the water is out of bounds.”

It was a sad day for the fans in Rabbit Hash.


Unfathomable
By Jennie O.

Swirling, Dark, and Cold
the depths were unknown
Yet she dove deeper

Blackness, Waves of isolation
pressure stole her breathe
Uncomprehending she questioned,
explored,searched and dove deeper

Darkness reigned.
Pressure Rose.
Everchanging tides stilled in the deep.

Reaching out she felt no limits to these depths.
Weightlessness. Her chest swelled.
Tears of exhaustion mingled with the sea.
The Red tide abated.

Rhythmic beating of the waves, warmth, light,
Sound emerged as she surfaced.
She was beckoned "Come come Forgiveness is the LAW of the land!"

Example

No Escape
by Brad W.

With his plum-sized eyes, Tunnellove searches for his maniacal trainer. His jockey, Santo, sits crouched underground asking TL what he sees. "It's either a bahmistfah or a pathetic game of hide and seek....I can't tell." Santo asks if they have nets or tranq guns or suspicious demeanors. Tunnellove shakes his head no. "Then lets ride!" shouts Santo. TL just stands there. Not even a flinch in response to Santo's friendly slap. He just feels overwhelmingly safe. Comforted by the surrounding cool earth. The hunched-over jockey rests his head on TL's mane and says, "I know...I know....you'd rather wait...."