May, 2025 Archives
May
Something To Eat
by thegooddoctor in 100 Words
“The city is breaking up the encampment, clearing us out,” Olivia said. “I’m leaving.”
“Where are you going?” asked Simone.
“Jail.”
“Jail? Why?”
“In jail I’ll eat every day, have a place to sleep, shower and go to the toilet.”
Simone shivered and pulled the blanket tight around her shoulders. “Jail is awful.”
“Being old and homeless is worse.”
“How will you get sent to jail?”
Olivia opened her coat, exposing the pistol tucked in her waistband. “I’m robbing the first bank I see.”
Simone watched Olivia walk away and tried to ignore the hunger growling deep in her belly.
From Guest Contributor Robert P. Bishop
Robert, a US Army veteran and former Biology teacher, lives in Tucson, Arizona. His short fiction has appeared in numerous online and print journals.
May
Top Ten Tips For Spies In The Dentist’s Office Waiting Room
by thegooddoctor in 100 Words
1. Power down the flip phone (V2.0) hidden in your black loafers.
2. Set video camera sunglasses to record in 4K resolution.
3. Be suspicious of anyone sporting sunglasses in waiting room.
4. Scan wall posters for cryptic ciphers such as ‘Password=PW123.’
5. Take notes, e.g., ‘Subject has engaged eye contact.’
6. Respond with ‘thank you’ if anyone says ‘You’re acting all weird, man.’
7. Refuse offers of Xylitol-laced lollipops, esp. sour cherry flavoured.
8. Ask yourself, ‘Does my dentist have a Russian accent?’
9. Keep eyes open, mouth shut, antenna tuned.
10. Avoid divulging important state secrets while sedated.
From Guest Contributor Elizabeth Murphy
May
I Can’t Explain
by thegooddoctor in 100 Words
I know things look bad. I can explain the blood. I was playing with my dog and he scratched me pretty bad. He can be rough.
What about the witness who saw you going into the house?
I was just dropping off the divorce papers. They should be in the filing cabinet.
I see. And the threatening emails from your account?
Someone’s trying to frame me.
Very good. That just leaves the matter of the security camera. How do you explain that someone who looks remarkably like you was recorded beating your ex to death with a field hockey stick?
May
Wanderlust
by thegooddoctor in 100 Words
The pulse of the city is becoming my own. I woke up with a thrumming headache this morning. The night and the dawn are a patchwork in my aching head. When I walk down the street, steam ripples off the pavement, as intangible as my disintegrating memories. How is my stranger? I wonder. The one from last night’s club. Gone now. He’s returned back to his own life after our brief collision: my drunken frame hung off his neck. His glassy brown gaze still holds me. Power lines cross my heart. My eyes swim in the summer sweat and rain.
From Guest Contributor Siri Harrison
May
It Happens Like This
by thegooddoctor in 100 Words
How many years since your hand found her knee? She will never leave you. Your voice is her background music, her dance. Smile at her from across the kitchen, her hands sorting knives and forks. Her smile is for you, but her thoughts are there, with him. That day. Cold wind pulled them close. Her hand on his neck, his hands in her hair. She knows by now she’d have tired of him as well. Forgotten how she spent afternoons in his freckled arms. She’d gaze across a room not seeing him, not feeling more than this slow, quiet day.
From Guest Contributor Beth Mead
May
Fool
by thegooddoctor in 100 Words
People stared as my white wedding gown dragged along the pathway to the motel room, my head piece barely hanging on. I shut the door and removed the pins from my hair shaking the curls loose. That snake cheated on me with my best friend on our wedding day. I snuck to the house and packed a bag as soon as I saw them together. Now I’m in this dumpy motel, my wedding gown thrown on a chair that has cigarette burns, while staring blankly at the television.
I won’t be made a fool of.
They’ll find that out soon.
From Guest Contributor Lisa M. Scuderi-Burkimsher
May
The Story Of An Artist
by thegooddoctor in 100 Words
Troubled childhood, searching for escape. Persecuted for a vision of the world the world found uncomfortable.
One person called him a genius. Everyone called him a genius. His genius defined the zeitgeist of the moment. His genius transcended the moment and stood the test of time.
His paintings sold for millions. His paintings captured the hearts of millions. His paintings were copied by millions.
His influence was everywhere. His reputation cast a shadow over all the artists who followed. His fame is eternal.
Every person who knew him knew him to be an asshole. He was especially cruel to women.
May
We Will All Stop Using Acronyms
by thegooddoctor in 100 Words
Friday afternoon: Another email pinged through from the boss, full of acronyms and bullet points. Bullet points always made Stella want to shoot herself.
“WTF,” Stella replied. “This is CRAP. CBA, TBH.” She went home.
***
Monday morning: “Stella. My office. Now.”
***
“Well, of course I mean Wednesday/Thursday/Friday,” Stella explained. “There’s to be a Completion Report After Production. Your IRK suggestion Can Be Arranged. Your third request, the prioritization protocol presentation, I’ve marked To Be Handled.” She drew a long breath.
***
Another email pinged through as Stella returned to her desk: “Moving forward we will all stop using acronyms…”
Stella smiled.
From Guest Contributor Fiona M Jones
May
Very Emotional
by thegooddoctor in 100 Words
Bart is in the middle of throwing a tantrum, to the point where his words become largely unintelligible.
“Anger at high levels. Refusing all requests.”
The experts estimate that Bart has the mental acuity of a high school student, but his behavior is both erratic and juvenile, filled with insults, threats, and curse words. Most conversations, including the current one, quickly devolve into confrontations. The only solace is that the majority of the invective lacks any connection to reality, meaning the sting is less.
The doctors huddle and agree there’s only one solution. “Let’s turn Bart off and start over.”
May
After The Verdict
by thegooddoctor in 100 Words
“Mr. Bromley, before I sentence you, do you have anything to say to this Court?”
“I’m innocent, Your Honor.”
“I meant anything more than that nonsense. You’ve been found guilty by a jury of your peers. You understand, don’t you?”
“I think I would’ve done better with a different lawyer.”
“By the way…Why did you choose your brother-in-law, Mr. Bromley?”
“Because, Your Honor, my sister-in-law cost a lot more. But I tell you, I’m innocent.”
“I told you to stop saying that.”
“Your Honor…”
“Yes…”
“Maybe if I’d offered a better bribe? Would that have made all the difference?”
From Guest Contributor David Sydney