Hey, gang. Long few days here, as half my house has had strep throat, and a quarter of it is me, taking care of everyone. Then I learned there were only nine stories and I cried until I stopped.
It seems there are 13 “regular” writers at this point, though a couple serial non-submitters are on the ropes. There were two golds, two silvers and two bronzes from each judge this week.
There was a HUGE usage of italics in the stories this week, so instead of working in all kinds of HTML, I went ahead and made you a document:
As for this Sunday, due the same time and with the same word limit:
“The Lonely”
Written by Rod Serling
Directed by Jack Smight
Originally broadcast Nov. 13, 1959
Jack Warden played Corry, a convict sentenced to a solitary life on an asteroid millions of miles from Earth. When the crew of the yearly supply ship leaves him a special package, he finds it contains a life-like robot (Jean Marsh, the future star of “Upstairs, Downstairs”). Though initially contemptuous of a mechanical creature that appears to only mimic the emotions of a woman, Corry and “Alicia” develop a relationship that predates the movie “Her” by several decades.
You will write a story about a character who has been isolated from society for a very long time (“a very long time” shall be defined by you). The story should include his or her first contact with another being, of any kind, since their isolation began. Cheers, Prosers.
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December 5, 2016 at 8:29 pm
mbnovak
I was hoping this one was going to get used.
December 5, 2016 at 8:57 pm
MelissaDiamondPhillips
You know it’s a low submission day when a story I forgot to write until Sunday at 6pm — and inspired by Pete’s unhelpful suggestion that I write about “psychic sheep?” — warranted me a bronze and a silver.
December 5, 2016 at 10:24 pm
nettiebarron
I’m not sure you can really classify it as unhelpful now.
December 6, 2016 at 12:21 pm
christinapepper
Melissa, you’re going to have to read Three Bags Full by Leonie Swann. It’s a mystery told from the point of view of a herd of sheep.
December 6, 2016 at 4:06 pm
nibbish
In fairness, I told you to make it funny.
December 5, 2016 at 9:22 pm
jhlongm
I keep writing stories I know Matt will hate, but I just can’t seem to stop!
Maybe I’ll do something in iambic pentameter for absolutely no reason next time.
December 6, 2016 at 12:04 am
uberminz
Secretly, the hate is all because you won’t call me Matthew.
December 5, 2016 at 10:08 pm
freealonzo
I just knew Kelly was going to take both barrels to mine but I didn’t give a rip, I had a blast writing that one. Just a warning, assassin Tifanny Trump will be making a repeat appearance (or two).
December 5, 2016 at 10:55 pm
spookymilk
You had a blast writing colorless exposition? I want to be that sunny.
December 5, 2016 at 10:23 pm
nettiebarron
Here’s your scoring. As always, double check me as I may or may not be sober.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1KAPUZf2L0hjIw38FFtcDRIfWAyZEHZ4VM9AQuWUgm8A/edit#gid=0
December 6, 2016 at 1:21 am
Colin Prime
So, the wife was reading his mind and exploiting his insecurities and torturing him because she sucks. I couldn’t pull it together coherently enough, though I am happy with what I got across.
I’m not used to Matthew liking anything I write so this is a pleasantly weird season so far.
I was hoping for so much more out of the psychic sheep!
Re: Kelly… Strep is gross. Sorry you all are going through that.
December 6, 2016 at 4:29 am
uberminz
Pleasantly weird sensations are my stock in trade.
December 8, 2016 at 9:38 am
ash10101
Does it have to be a living/breathing being or can it be like, a robot or a plant or something (this is probably a really dumb question, sorry)
December 8, 2016 at 9:39 am
spookymilk
I only said “being” in the hopes of opening it up to the kinds of ideas you’re asking about here. So, yes, that would be fine.
December 8, 2016 at 11:18 am
ash10101
Alright thanks