Crappy Writing Blog

Luke

2010-03-19T09:28:00.001-05:00

This is from Creative Copy Challenge. The object is to use ten words and build a cohesive story. The ten words are bold. Original Post

Luke Tenpenny walked along the sidewalk towards his Theatre Arts class in Shepherd Hall. This was his second semester teaching at Meadow Brook University. Luke looked at his watch.

8:10, Crap!

Luke was running late on the first day of class. It didn’t help that his wife, Alicia spent the better part of the morning nagging at him about staying out at the Welcome Back Dance all night.

He stepped up his pace when his phone rang.

Great, now to hear more of it.

He answered the phone.

“Hey Sweetheart!”

“You didn’t take the trash out this morning. The pizza boxes are still in the kitchen and the aroma is disgusting.”

“I’m sorry, Sweetie. You know I was running late. Can you take it to the curb please?”

“I guess I don’t have a choice now do I?”

“Hey Mister Tennpenny!!”

Sylvia Blanca, a student of his last semester comes up to him and hands him a flyer for the Tri-Delt Gumbo Cook off.

“..it’s going to be this Saturday outside the quad. All the Deltas would love it if you could be a judge.”

Alicia was still going off in his ear.

“Yeah, sure Sylvia. I’ll see what I can do.”

“Cool beans, Mister Tennpenny. I’m on Facebook. Let me know.”

Then she takes off handing out more flyers.

“Who the hell was that?”

“A student, why?”

“I could hear how she would sing your name.”

“Can you give it a rest, ‘Licia? I need to get to class.”

It was useless to argue with her over the phone. Luke was getting irritated with her and his body language to show his frustration was obvious. He had passed the Hundred Year Tree. That’s where he proposed to Alicia their senior year. His outlook on life was different back then. Alicia was different back then. Everything changed after the miscarriage.

Luke noticed this creepy kid giving him the hairy eyeball.

What’s up with this guy?

Creepy Kid would not take his eyes off Luke. It was pissing him off more than he already was.

What is this kid’s problem??

He broke the stare down and continued his attention to Alicia.

“Listen, Sweetie. I’m sorry about the trash. If you could take it out for me please, I’ll make it up to you. I’ll bring home a movie tonight, okay?”

“Sure, I guess.”

“Great. I’m almost to class, I’ll call you later. Bye Sweetie.”

“Bye Lucius.”

Ugh.

Luke hated his real name. What parent names their kids Lucius? He entered the building and into the class. The students were talking and texting waiting for him to get there. They turn their attention to their teacher.

“Okay Ramblers. Let’s get rambling!”

Everyone straightens up as Luke walks towards the front of the class.

“Welcome back, everyone. Sorry I’m late. I haven’t seen most of you since the New York Broadway trip. Did everyone who went have a good time??’

A student starts to tell about his experience in New York when the fire alarm starts blaring.

What the hell?

“You’ve got to be kidding me.”

The students start cheering thinking they’ll have to leave class.

“Everyone just hang on. This has to be some sort of glitch. Let me go check first.”

As Luke gets closer to the door, he hears what could be gun shots and people screaming.

What the hell is going on out there??

Luke opens the door and the world has gone berserk. Someone had pulled the fire alarm to lure people into the hallway and started shooting. It had only been about 20 seconds at the most, and carnage had enveloped Shepherd Hall.

Bodies were lying on the floor, lifeless. A girl in pajamas screams and tries to run around the bodies into the mess of people being slaughtered.

The seconds passed like minutes. He looked back at the shooter.

Creepy Kid??

Luke see’s the smile on Creepy Kid’s face. This was a game to him as he used his guns as life ending joysticks. And he was getting off to this. This was a game to him.

Luke didn’t take another second to take in the situation and charged at Creepy Kid. Too many people were losing their lives, he had to do something.

He hit Creepy Kid hard in the ribs. He felt a couple crack as he tackled him to the ground. Creepy Kid’s head smashed against the floor and dropped one of his guns. Luke grabs the gun, stands up and points it and yells at Creepy Kid.

“What the hell are you doing?!?! Let go of the other gun!!”

Luke could have been screaming at him through a microphone and Creepy Kid would not have registered anything with that glazed look on his face.

Was that his face before or after he hit the ground?

Creepy Kid smiles and points his gun at Luke.

BLAM! BLAM!

They fire at the same time. Luke falls against the wall and slides down leaving a blood smear against the bulletin board. He sees blood coming out of his left shoulder. It takes a couple seconds to register the piercing pain coming from the same shoulder.

He looks over at Creepy Kid with blood coming out of his chest. Lifeless, with that same smile on his face.

Luke feels unconsciousness coming down on him. He manages to pull his phone from his pocket. He pushes the talk button twice.

Alicia picks up.

“Lucius?”

“Sorry about the movie, ‘Licia. I probably won’t make it. I love you as I always have.”

“Lucius, what’s going on? What happened?”

Luke’s eyes close as his hand falls to the floor.

Mark

2010-03-16T09:30:00.001-05:00

This is from Creative Copy Challenge. The object is to use ten words and build a cohesive story. The ten words are bold. Original Post

Mark sat on the bench near the hundred year tree. He dragged his fingers over the extreme detail of the carvings.

Probably donated by the class of twenty-four or something.

He looked at his watch once more.

8:15

It was the first day of the spring semester at Meadow Brook University. New and returning students were hurrying past Mark on their way to buildings and classrooms across campus. Mark would grab a random student with his eyes and follow them until they left his peripheral vision. With everyone in their rushed state, no one paid him any attention.

Some SB ignored him when passing out her sororities' rush gumbo cook off.

Would anyone miss her?

He took his eyes off the female student and started following a guy on the cell phone. Cell Phone seemed agitated. He was expressing his frustration with whoever was on the other side of the phone by waving his arms wildly slicing the air. Cell Phone's eyes locked with Mark's in passing, but continued on his way.

He followed Cell Phone with his eyes as he walked towards Shepherd Hall.

It looks like we have a winner. What fate will fall on me in this building?

With Cell Phone closing in on the front door of the building, Mark stood up, adjusted his coat and slung his backpack over his shoulders. It took him about forty-two seconds to reach the door. He turned around to see the courtyard relatively clear. Everyone was in their class. Everyone was in their place. He entered the building and the doors slammed behind him. A shimmer of hope in his pathetic life was about to unfold.

The hallway longed forward and was empty. The walls were bare and nude to any hiding spaces or detractors.

Perfect.

He looked to his right, saw the fire alarm, and pulled.

The alarm blared in a steady slow tempo. Mark smiled and put reached both hands into his jacket.

Let's see who is going to be first.

A girl with her ponytail sticking out her cap comes out of the room up on the left.

Congratulations, Pony Tail!

Mark pulls his hands from his coat and points a 9mm contraband pistol at Pony Tail.

Blam!

Pony Tail falls. More students start exiting out of the other rooms.

Letterman Jacket. Dolphin Notebook. Goth Chick.

In unison with the raging alarm.

Blam! Blam! Blam!

All three fall.

ROTC Cadet. Fat Girl. Old Man. Another ROTC cadet.

Blam! Blam! Blam! Blam!

It's only been fifteen seconds since the alarm had been pulled and the hallway is full. They see Mark standing at the entrance with weapons pointing at them and the panic sets in like a train wreck. Pajama Pants screams, side steps a fallen body and starts running the opposite way into the throng of other fish sitting in the barrel.

Still in unison with the alarm, Mark fires into the mass.

Cornrows. Gay Guy. Old Navy. Hispanic Chick.

Blam! Blam! Blam! Blam!

Suddenly, Mark feels his ribs crack and then notices that he is lying on the floor. His vision goes blurry as his head crashes against the linoleum. He looks up and sees a figure standing above him. He hears mumbling, but the alarm and the screams makes it impossible for him to make out what Blurry Man is saying.

Mark squints and focuses on the man. His eyes meet the eyes of a stranger. Or is it?

Cell Phone?!

Cell Phone is holding one of Mark's guns.

Is he threatening me?

Mark smiles and raises his gun at Cell Phone.

BLAM! BLAM!

Mark's chest begins to feel warm with blood as it empties from his chest.

Cell Phone the hero.

With death all around him, Mark's vision goes black and joins them.

More Kids

2010-03-13T09:22:00.000-06:00

For Seven Days Seven Answers you read the cue, react to the cue. There's no right answer, no research required. I cite sources where applicable but it's all about coming up with creative answers. Original Post

Checklist: A list of words will be accompanied by a scenario in which to use them.
tutor, fourth, equate, regrettably

Tell us about your weekend.

We should have stopped when we had our fourth, I regrettably told my wife on Saturday. In school, they don't teach you how to deal with large families. You don't get a tutor to tell you when you stop when you're ahead. The constant noise, smell and mess my living room has become does nothing but equate a hole in my wall. Not to mention a boxing fracture on my dominant hand. My wife has been crying all day. She said that I am mean and hurt her and the children. All because I can't control my anger.

Who the heck calls cats "their children" anyways?

Days of Elijah: Chapter 1

2010-03-10T09:18:00.000-06:00

This is from Creative Copy Challenge. The object is to use ten words and build a cohesive story. The ten words are bold. Original Post

It was a few minutes to midnight and Elijah was he was instructed to wait for his friends.

"Go to the old apartment building and wait for us."

Is what the last instant message said. He climbed out his window after he knew his parents were asleep. He hid in the shadows of some rotting scaffolding. Was it safe? He stopped caring about his welfare a few months ago when his mom and her husband brought home another baby. It was their fourth in five years.

Can't these people get cable or something? Why do they have to keep making babies?

Life at his father's wasn't any better. He got remarried after he left his mom and they had three more kids as well. Every other Friday, he'd go to their house and stay in his room all weekend. His dad was working on his boat and his step-mom cared more about her kids than him. His dad even dropped Elijah off his insurance because with the additional children, he couldn't cover the child support and the medical premiums.

Here Elijah was, the oldest of eight and he felt most neglected. He was no longer her momma's little boy. The other kids saw to that. Only his friends knew what he was going through.

He hated the rules, the chores, the restrictions, the requests to look after the kids. He hated having to ask to go somewhere. He couldn't go to the mall or someplace with his friends. It was like they took away his freedom when he became a teenager.

So when the option to run away and get out from the oppressive rule that were his parents, the fourteen year old Elijah knew it was a no-brainer he had to leave.

At this time of night only a few cars would pass this place. Usually it was a motorist or random trucker looking for a place to park for the night. Elijah looked at the time on his phone again. It was a couple minutes past twelve.

Where are they? I came out here for nothing, didn't I? Just someone else breaking promises in my life.

"Hey Madman!!" Came a soft voice from the tree line.

Elijah squinted to try and pierce the darkness. From the shadows came Saul, Alex and Heaven. Three kids he knew that had everything they wanted. Most importantly, their parents didn't tell them crap. Elijah liked Heaven. Ever since she walked into his class in the fourth grade, he had a crush on her. She was the main reason he was out here.

His mom and Dan didn't approve of him dating until he was sixteen. It was their philosophy that if they prevent him from being in the same situations as his mother, he won't end up a teenage parent as well.

They gathered near the scaffold. Heaven and Elijah exchanged glances partnered with a smile. He noticed they were all wearing some sort of metal bracelet. Almost like a knight's gauntlet.

"What are those?" Elijah asked Alex.

"These are the answers to all your problems, Elijah."

"What do you mean?"

"You hate your life right? What if we had the means to change that?"

"I don't understand."

Before Alex could answer, a beam of light came from around the corner.

"Elijah!" called the voice.

It was Samuel, his step-dad.

"Sam?"

Elijah's three friends took defensive positions when Sam approached.

"Elijah, I don't know what you're doing, but we're leaving now."

"How did you know where..."

"It doesn't matter. You're mom doesn't know we are not home. We need to get back before she wakes up for your sister's next feeding. Let's go."

"He's not going anywhere with you, man. Just turn around, get a donut and a chocolate milk, I don't care what and leave Elijah alone. He doesn't live with you any longer." Alex threatened.

"It's going to be a cold day in hell before I'm scared of a Twilight and Jonas Brother wannabe." Sam's quick wit retorted.

Sam went to grab Elijah's wrist and Elijah pulled back. At the same time Saul pulled a gun out and pointed it at Sam.

"What the hell are you doing with that thing? Put that away now and I won't file a report."

Elijah was confused. Sam was out here, how he found him he didn't know, but he was out here none the less. He seemingly did not tell his mom about it either. Now he's seen a side of his friends he never expected.

"Elijah, let's go home." Sam said softly holding out his hand.

"You don't have to Elijah, we can show you how life will be different." Heaven's angelic voice pleaded.

His head was spinning. He felt dizzy. Was it his anxiety? Migraines? Elijah needed to rest on something or he was going to eat pavement. He leaned against the scaffolding. Sam went to help Elijah. A few steps away from his son, Sam was pushed from behind by Alex into the structure. Elijah backed away and stumbled into Heaven's arms. Sam's shoulder clipped a support pole. Trying to regain his balance his head struck the side of the building and he fell to the ground.

The scaffolding started to sway back and forth. The kids backed up. Within seconds Sam was buried in a mess of metal and wood. Elijah couldn't speak. His head hurt. He didn't know what to do. He was about to say something when he heard Alex talking.

"Chrono slide. Three Rogues plus one. Engage!"

What was he doing?

Before he could take his next breath, they were engulfed in a blue flame and were gone.

My Time for Glory

2010-03-07T09:10:00.000-06:00

This is from Creative Copy Challenge. The object is to use ten words and build a cohesive story. The ten words are bold. Original Post

Here it my big moment. My time to shine. My time for glory.

My music blares through the speakers of the arena as the crowd jumps to their feet. I step through the curtain and the noise is deafening. I want to thank each and every one of them for the support they've given me through my entire run. I'm getting older and I'm not as quick as I used to be. Each year goes by and I get further and further behind in this sport. New moves. New characters. Just like the seasons, everything has changed.

Before I was married, I would let this monopolize my time. Every chance I got, I would find ways and reasons to come return. The locker room was like a co-ed dorm with all of us hanging out. Some of us would leave of our own accord. Some of us were kicked out.

I managed to come back for this last big run. I trained and I practiced. I even hired a dietician to help me with my weight. Since I got married, I put on a few pounds. Sure I wasn't as fast as I was ten years ago, but I could still work the crowd.

I was at the end of the ramp now. The ring only a few feet from me. I let the cheers and support are my tailwind of encouragement in what many have called an epic battle.

On Pay Per View none the less.

My opponent is "MaddSkillz" Mike Joseph, my protégé. I pretty much taught him this sport. He's young. He's quick. He also struts around the ring with a cocky confidence. Is it because he thinks he can beat his old mentor? To make him tap out?

I take a few moments to watch his antics. I can't help it but smile. I climb the steps, go through the ropes and keep my muscles loose in my corner. The referee calls us to the center. Explains the rules and signals for the bell.

I don't know what hit me. MaddSkills attacks like a rattlesnake. He attacks me from all different directions. He throws me into the ropes. The turnbuckles. I spend more time on the ground than I do on my feet. He's hits burn like the sting of a bumblebee. I really don't know how much more I can take.

Honestly, I'm pretty much done. I can't even muster enough energy to stay on my feet. MaddSkillz is loving this. He's just toying with me now. He kicks me in the gut which sets up his finisher.

The Propeller.

He lifts me on his shoulders, spins around and slams me face first on the mat. He rolls me over and the ref counts.

1...

2...

3!!!!

He won again.

I suck. I suck. I suck. I suck.

"I'm done playing this game with you!!!"

I throw the controller down it slams against his bookcase and I storm out of my son's room the worst of the sore losers. No sportsmanship whatsoever. Great example of being a father. He didn't even give me a chance.

I need to practice when he's at school. That's how I'll beat him.

Victor Garber

2010-03-04T08:56:00.000-06:00

This is from Creative Copy Challenge. The object is to use ten words and build a cohesive story. The ten words are bold. Original Post

My wife and I are currently sitting in the administrative “lobby” I guess you call it of my son’s high school. We have this “meeting” with the principal. We weren’t really told what was going on, but my wife and I have differing opinions.

KC is worried that something had happened. Upon becoming a teenager, the boy had started building this barrier between us and him. He had stopped talking to us as much as he used too, and even went a few months without telling us he was dating this chick. We did not support him dating until he was sixteen. In high school you have unlimited access to any boy or girl wanting to hook up. Then one thing leads to another and you become another teen statistic.

“Don’t worry about it, Sweetheart” I tell her, “Everything is going to be fine.”

I shouldn’t blow off her feelings, but I just got this new iTouch and I am watching Green Lantern: First Flight and using a blue tooth earpiece to listen.

She is saying something else, but I can’t really make out what it is. I’m distracted by wondering who is providing the voice to Sinestro.

Our son is an honor student. He’s gotten straight “A’s” all semester. He’s in theater and quickly becoming an extrovert.

Maybe that is why KC is concerned. A cute kid that can put on the actor’s charm.

Why didn’t I go into Theater Arts when I was in school. I was just a comic book geek.

I guess not much has changed.

The tranquility that filled my head is now clouded. Maybe KC is right.

Where have I heard that voice before? This is getting frustrating.

The door opens and KC turns her head quickly. The principal motions her to come in. She pats my leg, I get up and follow them in.

Its the big battle right now. Sinestro is beating the crap out of the Green Lantern Corps.
We sit down and exchange pleasantries. He starts to talk and I can start to make out the owner of the voice in my head.

Principal is talking about something, but I have no clue. I’m concentrating on the voice.

Oh its that guy from Legally Blonde. Of course.

I rule. I didn’t even have to IMDB it. I start to pay attention to the conversation.

“Your son has the highest grape up his ass.” The principal says.

“WHAT?!?!” I stand pissed off.

My wife jerks her head in my direction and the principal leans back in his chair.

“I don’t know what gives you the right. But you can’t just sit there with a straight face and insult us by insulting our son. I do not know how you became a principal with that kind of uncouth tact. You’re a retarded ruffian who is better equipped to be a dishwasher than a principal. I hope you die, sir. I hope you die. But I won’t be rude and not go to your funeral. Oh, I will be there. I will be there to piss on your coffin and crap on your grave. We are out of here. We’re taking our kid to private school. You! You have a grape up YOUR ass!!!”

I hold up three fingers.

“Read between the lines, fat head. Read between the lines. Let’s go sweetie!”

I start to walk towards the door. I turn to see KC embarrassed and pissed.

“Eric, he said that he has the highest grade in the class!”

Hmmm.

That certainly does change things.

Window of Opportunity

2010-03-01T08:46:00.000-06:00

This is from Creative Copy Challenge. The object is to use ten words and build a cohesive story. The ten words are bold. Original Post

The three of them gathered under the cover of darkness late one Saturday night. The Leader was the oldest. She had the most experience in matters at hand. She has worked with the male of the group the longest. He has had her back on numerous occasions. Even ones more dangerous than this one. He's the closest thing she has to a best friend.

The third was the newest recruit. She had been with them a little over a year, with most of the time committed to training rather than out in the field. She was the daydreamer of the group. Often she would stop in the middle of an exercise and start dancing for no particular reason. As if there were a party music frequency wavelength pumped directly into her head.

Time for action was quickly creeping closer. If all goes to plan, the three of them will have the objects of their desire in as little as ten minutes.

Their inside man had made arrangements for security to be as light as possible. The window of opportunity was going to be very small. If they didn't accomplish their mission tonight, who knows what hands the prize might fall into.

They waited quietly for the signal. The Leader heard the catcall signal from their inside man.

It was go time.

The door was unlocked just like they planned. They spread out and moved along the ground like a small militia of silkworms to avoid detection. They hugged shadows to avoid casting any themselves.

There were four other known people in the building. Inside man and three others. They knew were the inside man was and how he would avoid the area, but the unscheduled actions of the other three were the only flaws to what could be the perfect heist.

This was part of the plan where The Leader could feel things going wrong in her stomach. Anxiety, a phobia if you will of failure. Worse yet. Being caught. She noticed a light coming from one of the rooms. She lifted her right hand into a closed fist. It was the signal to stop. The Rookie was late to stop and her foot clipped a stand that held a cheap iron-ore sculpture.

It started to wobble back and forth. All the planning was going to be for nothing all because she wasn't paying full attention but signing "Boom Boom Pow" in her head.

The sculpture stopped.

The Leader looked back at The Rookie and gave her a stern "you got lucky" glare.

Five feet of open space separated them from their prize. The Male was the best at vertical scaling. He moved into the point position and started climbing. The two females were smiling with anticipation. The spoils of this score could last them a good month or two if they rationed it responsibly.

He had it. This was easier than he thought. He put the prize in his backpack for the climb back down. They just had to make it out of there before...

The door opened and the room filled with light from the other room. The silhouette of the owner filled the doorway. He hadn't seen them yet. His attention was still directed to the others inside.

"....get some water and some painkillers for this back pain. You need anything from the kitchen?"

"Maybe some chocolate." Came a female voice.

He flicked the light on and the three kids were dead to rights where they sat.

"What the?!?"

Loreli and Araceli sat on the floor while Seth was standing on a chair with the candy from their cousin's piñata in his backpack.

Mission, failed.

The USB

2010-02-26T08:41:00.001-06:00

This is from Creative Copy Challenge. The object is to use ten words and build a cohesive story. The ten words are bold. Original Post

The cold dark winter wind bit at Jerome as he sat in the back of the old pick-up truck. He bounced around as the vehicle raced down the interstate. If he didn’t think he was going to die soon, he would never have jumped in the back of this deathtrap. He held pressure on his lower abdomen to keep the bleeding to a minimum. He was thankful for the Samaritan who said would give him a ride to San Antonio from Houston with no questions asked. As cars passed, light would sometimes reflect on objects inside an old hubcap sitting next to him.

His friend, Casper at the liquor store said it was called a USB drive. He was begging for change at a familiar intersection when a car sped by and tossed the object out of his window. Jerome had no idea what it was; it was shiny and looked expensive. He’d been away from home for ten years. He thought maybe he could exchange the treasure for some liquid at Casper’s that would drown a sorrow or two. Casper tried to pull something up on his computer, but nothing happened. Only a name appeared, “Jericho”. He gave it back to Jerome and a forty for his time.

Jerome had gone to his corner to sit and enjoy his liquid amnesia. He noticed a couple of non-descript cars pull up to Casper’s a few minutes later. The visitors left a couple minutes later as quickly as they entered. Within seconds the place exploded. Jerome wasn’t sure if they saw him leave earlier or the stupidity of running from the scene that tipped off the visitors, but it wasn’t long before he noticed the burning in his side and the smell of gunpowder. He didn’t know why they left him for dead instead of following up on their initial attack. Maybe they thought an old homeless drunk wouldn’t be a threat.

He managed to get the bullet out with the old switchblade that currently rattled next to the USB. Is this where his decisions in life have taken him? His mind raced ten years ago to when he left his wife and daughter. He looked at the crumbled picture he always carried of him and his daughter Rose. Ten years on the street did a lot to the good looking man with the sharp haircut and trimmed goatee. He couldn’t remember if Rose had been in kindergarten or first grade in the picture. Regardless, he didn’t know how much time he had left. All he did know was that he needed to tell her something before he might die.

The Samaritan stopped a block away as promised and Jerome jumped from the truck bed. He felt the pain radiate through his torso the second he landed. He grimaced and limped his way back to the familiar house he once shared with his wife. He remembered bringing Rose home from the hospital. He thought of how scared he was when she got real sick shortly after the picture was taken. He couldn’t take the pressure of all the treatments, tubes and tests that were constantly attacking his daughter. A part of him died each time he saw his daughter in pain. So he just left.

For ten years he has beat himself up constantly about his decision. He would fight and clobber and wrestle with his fear of failure to find some excuse not to go back. The six months in what was generously called an asylum didn’t help much either.

So here he was, waiting for her to come outside to go to school. He needed to tell her something. She was the only one he trusted, maybe the only one that could possibly trust him. If only for a minute.

The five hour trip and two hours of waiting finally paid off. Rose came out the front door. He never knew that someone could be so beautiful. He wondered how someone as dirty and broken as he could have a daughter as wonderful and pure as this young lady. He knew it would be hard on her, but he had no other choice. Time was running out. He came out from behind a car as she approached.

“Rose.” Jerome softly spoke.

Rose jumped back and screamed.

“Wait, it’s me. Dad!”

“What?? Who?? Daddy?!?”

“I know I have a lot of explaining to do, but I don’t have much time left. I just need you to know that I’m sorry for leaving. I regretted the decision every day the past ten years. I love you very much and you’re the only one I can trust with this. I hope that you find it in your heart to forgive me someday. Take care of this please, the person on this has caused a lot of hurt and needs to be dealt with. In the name of love, please take this.”

He put it in her trembling hand and walked away. Rose stood frozen, not knowing what to do, say or feel. Jerome turned the corner, sat against a fence and died.

Rose wiped the tears from her eyes, opened her hand and cried as she pressed the picture against her chest.

Totally Worth It

2010-02-23T08:31:00.002-06:00

This is from Creative Copy Challenge. The object is to use ten words and build a cohesive story. The ten words are bold. Original Post

A Disclaimer: I was trying something different with this one.

As a glacier to the valley, you formed my soul and being.
My love for you was forever carved on the stone tablet of eternity.

But you’re just an illusion.
An imposter who broke through the shield that protects my heart.

A rancid pile of excrement.
That seeks innocence to drag it into the cesspool of your life.

I’ll give you half my paycheck,
it’s totally worth it.

Better a womanizer
than a coke head.

The Further Adventures of Mike Dagger

2010-02-20T08:22:00.004-06:00

This is from Creative Copy Challenge. The object is to use ten words and build a cohesive story. The ten words are bold. Original Post

“I dare you to kiss me again,” threatened Illiana.

“Don’t mind if I do, Baby Cakes!”

Mike Dagger, Intergalactic Man of Espionage, grabbed the Regulon beauty and laid another kiss on her that made her brain reach hyperactive speeds. She struggled at first, but like all his women, she succumbed to the awesomeness that ebbs from Mike Dagger, Intergalactic Man of Espionage.

Her kiss tasted like earth’s vanilla. Mike Dagger, Intergalactic Man of Espionage visited earth once in his early twenties. But the Prime Minister didn’t much appreciate what Mike Dagger, Intergalactic Man of Espionage did to his daughters.

Or his sisters.

Or his nieces.

Or his wife.

Mike Dagger, Intergalactic Man of Espionage was on the first class-five cargo cruiser taking off on the galactic freeway leaving earth.

Mike Dagger, Intergalactic Man of Espionage released the kiss and Illiana’s knees were weak. She had gone through a lot recently. She hired Mike Dagger, Intergalactic Man of Espionage to find a kidnapped diplomat she worked for. An Emissary from the planet Regulon. Mike Dagger, Intergalactic Man of Espionage found him but it was too late.

He was already dying. He described his killer as a woman with a thorn tattoo on her lower back. Mike Dagger, Intergalactic Man of Espionage thought it was sexy but didn’t share that piece of information with anyone. This went from a kidnapping to a murder. He needed to keep his information to himself. He didn’t know who he could trust.

With her boss now dead, Illiana was unemployed.

“Let’s go Sweet Lips. You can work for me.”

“Do you mean it?” the voice Regulon women had when desperate really turned Mike Dagger, Intergalactic Man of Espionage on.

“Would I lie to you, Hot Bottoms?”

Illiana turned to walk away. She looked back over her shoulder giving Mike Dagger, Intergalactic Man of Espionage a look that shook him to the core. He almost didn’t notice a thorn tattoo on her lower back. Mike Dagger, Intergalactic Man of Espionage sighed and pulled his blaster from his holster and shot her dead. Her alien body burnt to a crisp as her skeleton turned to ash and blew away into the Regulon night.

Love never comes easy for Mike Dagger, Intergalactic Man of Espionage.

The n00b

2010-02-02T21:51:00.000-06:00

Living in San Angeles, A.K.A. "Hero City" has its ups and downs for Stanley J. Kirby. For instance, he lives in a city that has a nice population of super heroes. What could be better that that? There have been occasions that Stanley has met a few super powered individuals. He once ran into the Gamma Ray Gunslinger at Burger Bell. He was ordering a chimmy chonga. Stanley ordered the same thing so he could tell his friends that they ordered the same thing. There was this one time right after college that he shared a cab with Midget Tosser. Stanley was so enamored; he actually paid for The Tosser's fare. What was cool about that event is that Midget Tosser was on his way to his girlfriend's condo. The Amazonian Astronaut and Midget Tosser were in all the tabloids. It was scandalous. That day Amazonian Astronaut broke off their six year relationship. Midget Tosser added an "M" to his costume, turned to a life of crime and called himself the "Mad Midget Tosser."

Stanley works at Computropolis. Its an electronics' store that has comparable prices to other major discount centers. He's the manager of the video game department. Often there are times he invites his friends to the store after it closes. They usually order pizza and play Danger Zone 4. They challenge other clans around the world on the X-Station Wii-Sixty Live Network.

Sometimes, El Supremo Maximo's assistant, Kate, comes to the store. She always uses Stanley to make her purchases for El Supremo Maximo. Kate gave up a career in journalism to assist Maximo. She's mentioned to Stanley on numerous occasions, that working with Maximo beats meeting deadlines any day. El Supremo Maximo is the leader of the heroes in Hero City. He's the reason why ordinary people decide to be super heroes. You don't really need super powers per se. To be a hero, you just need to pass an ethics exam and pay your quarterly dues.

A villain in San Angeles on the other hand, just needs to commit a crime. Some criminals are pretty lame though. Just last week The Poodle Prince was arrested for stealing gumball machines. The thing about The Poodle Prince is he doesn't use poodles and does not have any royal blood in his body. But there are plenty of legit bad guys in the Villains Guild.

Negaton, the leader of the guild has escaped from numerous times from the super detention facility in the middle of the New Mexican desert. Its simply know as Sector Sixteen. Powers are negated when an inmate is processed, so escape is not really an option with temperatures over 120 degrees Fahrenheit and sun rays that could melt an engine block of a 1979 Buick Regal.

Yesterday marked the eight times Negaton has escaped. It had been in all the news outlets for people to be on the lookout. The search has been on for close to eighteen hours. Out of all the cities and countries in the world, Negaton ALWAYS comes back to San Angeles. It was more than likely some sort of retaliation against his arch nemesis, El Supremo Maximo. Captain Glory had been on television warning the citizens of San Angeles to stay out of high rises and avoid public transportation until they can confirm he is not in the city.

Stanley was watching the press conference on one of many plasma televisions at Computropolis. It was his night to close the store. Usually he'd have his friends over, but Kate asked him to breakfast in the morning and he wants to fresh and ready to go. Sometimes the game nights can go to four in the morning. Stanley usually lets the others go right away. As long as everyone does their job its no big deal closing at night.

On his way to his car, Stanley noticed a shooting star. He was about to make a wish but the "star's" trajectory started falling in his direction. He started running back to the store as the object crashed into the parking lot. The sound of the crash knocked Stanley to the concrete and blew out the windows of the store front.

Stanley brought himself to his feet and peered in the direction of the impact zone. He inched closer to the edge of the crater. The smoke started to clear and he could see something, someone moving. Dust and dirt started to clear and Stanley recognized the Green, Red and White armor. It was El Supremo Maximo.

"Maximo??"

Without a word, Maximo lifted his hand to Stanley for help. On instinct, Stanley reached out to help his hero. As he grabbed Maximo's hand, Stanley's insides started to burn. His skin seemed to bubble at the internal fire flaming inside. Stanley wanted to let go but couldn't. The burning stopped as Maximo let go. Confused, Stanley backed away from the defeated hero. No words could form as Stanley's mouth moved. Was he now mute? More than likely he was in shock.

As his hearing returned he heard the grinding of gears. The sound became louder and louder. It became almost deafening as a giant boom knocked Stanley down again. This time he wasn't thrown as far or hurting as much. In fact he felt no pain.

Back at the crater, he saw someone climb out.

Maximo?

No, it was Negaton. He was holding Maximo's armor and had an evil grin on his mechanical face. He approached Stanley without a word and lifted his cannon and fired.

Stanley thought he was surely dead. Instead the energy from the cannon seemed to be stored in his body. When Negaton noticed he wasn't dead, lifted his cannon again and fired. Stanley lifted his hands to block the attack, but felt energy leave his body. He looked at Negaton who was now covered in flames. He ran away from Stanley and took off in the air. A trail of fire and smoke followed him. He crashed in the park on the other side of the street.

Stanley didn't know what just happened. Within a few seconds construction crews were on the scene cleaning the place up. A limousine pulled up next to Stanley. The door opened and Captain Glory stepped out. Stanley usually would have freaked out seeing the heroes second in command. But with tonight's events, nothing surprised him anymore.

"Come take a ride with me. We need to talk to you about a new career field, noob."

Miguel

2010-01-28T21:45:00.000-06:00

This is another Creative Copy Challenge.

Miguel regained consciousness. How long had he been out this time? Trying to move, he realized he was still taped to the folding chair with cheap duct tape, but still taped none the less. He noticed this wasn't the same room he was in prior to blacking out. He wasn't sure if it was day or night. The plywood covering the window made sure of that. Blood stained his shirt. He took as many notes as he could from this new scenario.

Dammit. Denise got this for me.

He noticed the pain radiating from his left shoulder. It popped when he tried to move it. Time will tell if he'll ever get the range of motion he needs for his occupation. It hurt like hell.

Last time he woke up they were back in the room a few minutes later. Miguel looked around and noticed the camera on the wall next to the door.

What a horrible place for a camera.

The door opened and the same three men from before entered with smiles on their faces like they really enjoyed their jobs. Like Miguel noted, the camera was blocked when the door was opened. These guys must know the flaw because they close the door right away.

"Where do you get your outfits guys, Jersey Shore thrift shops??"

"Ha Ha, real funny wise ass!!"

Miguel smiled at Mr. Velvet's annoyance. Miguel had no idea what these guy's names were, let alone who they worked for. He named them based on the character traits they were showing during their time together. Mr. Velvet wore a purple velvet track suit. It suited his male pattern baldness and spare tire around his waist.

"Don't let him get to you. His jokes are about to come to an end if he doesn't start telling us what we want to know."

That was Mr. Gold. Every finger was adorned with a gold ring and he had enough gold chains around his neck to toe a Mac truck. He was the one responsible for the current state of his shoulder.

The bastard.

Pointing to the third guy, "Get the battery charged up."

The battery?

He followed The Poet as far as he could with his peripheral vision. He was carrying battery cables walked behind him where it hurt his eye when he strained to see what was going on. He heard a soft humming sound following by a metal bucket being filled with water. The lights in the room dimmed as the influx of electricity started to generate.

Crap.

He called him The Poet not because he liked to wax Robert Frost or Shell Silverstein, but because he was actually a stuttering dumb ass. He couldn't put a complete sentence together without giving Miguel an aneurysm. The Poet brought the water bucket over to Miguel's feet. Two steps away from Miguel, The Poet spilled the bucket and its contents across the floor.

"You idiot!" Mr. Gold admonished.

"So I'm guessing your want ad for hired help didn't say experience preferred."

Miguel had to joke around, it was the only way he knew how to get under their skin. It was also a great stalling technique. Mr. Gold didn't laugh though as he punched Miguel square in the jaw. He and the chair fell backwards slamming against the floor.

Miguel now had ringing in his ears. He didn't hear word for word but he could tell that Velvet and Mr. Gold were getting the stuff together themselves. He struggled with his restraints while they were distracted. He was hoping to be knocked to the floor. The water is actually loosing the adhesive on the cheap duct tape. Miguel was able to get one arm free. The Poet grabbed Miguel's shoulders and lifted him back up. Miguel screamed in pain.

The scream was a good enough distraction for Miguel to grab The Poet's head and twist. The Poet slumped into Miguel's lap. Velvet and Mr. Gold rush over to Miguel pull The Poet off his lap and he collapse to the floor. They both look up at Miguel as he is holding The Poet's gun.

BLAM!

BLAM!

They fall to the floor.

He only has a few minutes at the most. He quickly removes the remaining restraints and rips the plywood off the wall. The cold dark winter air bites at his skin. He looks back down and grabs Velvet's track suit.

How ironic.

He jumps out the window and runs for the woods. His plan is to avoid the highway and major routes for road blocks. He's still being hunted as the one who killed his wife and son. He knows he's getting closer to solving this himself and prove his innocence.

3AM.

2010-01-24T19:53:00.005-06:00

Three A.M.

Hours of waiting down the street in a non-descript car, now was the moment he was waiting for. Eric dashed across the open area towards the darkened building. His heart raced with each step over the concrete and rhubarb. He stopped short when the light from security light from the abandoned inner city public library came on.

The light blinded him and holding his hand against the brightness didn't do much to remedy the situation.

"Can I help yous?" Boomed a scratchy voice from the decrepit speaker next to the door.

"Little Lilliana likes lopsided landslides!!" Eric answered.

After a moment, a rusted bolt clanked against a steel door and it slid open. Eric walked in with caution.

"Sawubona" came a voice to his left. Shadows hid his features. All except that pop mark.

"Sawubona" Eric replied.

The door slammed shut and the rusted bolt returned to its previous position.

"Yoga' mah money, maing?" Pop Mark asked.

"Do you have my stuff?" Eric returned.

"Ya maing, eets right here." Pop Mark lifts up a canister of white powder.

"How do I know this is the real stuff. I'm giving you real money. I don't want to get screwed over."

"Maing, what choo talkin' about. This stuff is reals. If you don't want eet. You can leave. Me, I got nothing to loose."

Pop Mark started to move back to the door.

"No wait. I really need that stuff. I'll take it." Eric said desperately.

"Of course you will, maing. Enjoy."

The transaction takes place and Eric runs back to his car. He immediately opens the canister to see his score.

"Perfect! I just need to get back home before they discover I'm gone. I should never have left Emma home alone with Nana in her condition. She be up from her nap time shortly."

Eric pulls into his driveway, only to be met by his wife.

Eric's mind races.

"She must have gotten off early from her shift at the hospital. Great, I'm in for it now!"

"Where the hell have you been?" Kristie asked.

"I was just...Umm.." Eric searched for an answer.

"You were getting IT again weren't you?!?"

"Yes, but this is the last time. I promise I won't do it ever again."

"I don't know. How can I trust you? We have a baby in the house that could use her father."

"I know.. I know.. This will be the last time that I buy baby formula off craigslist."

He walks past her into the house.

Owl is DEA

2010-01-19T23:33:00.004-06:00

This story comes from Creative Copy Challenge. The idea is to make a story based on 10 random words determined by the site administrator. The stories have no restrictions on content or length. The required words are bolded.

On the way back to my table from the IHOP bathroom, my phone buzzed with a new message.

“Winnie the Pooh is being held by authorities in conjunction with illegal hunny smuggling rings all across the hundred acre woods. Owl is dea”

I was shocked when I read this on my twitter updates.

“Owl is dea”???

I had no clue that the Wise Ol’ Owl was a narc with the Drug Enforcement Agency.

I usually don’t subscribe to @head-shot harry’s social networking propaganda, but this was something that I had to delve into a bit more. I mean, those furry little freaks trusted Owl with their issues. Now to think that his prior work history is in question because he is believed to be working for the man.

I sat down and started to think of the lawsuits that will arise. Kanga, Rabbit, the Gophers that would whistle a song through their teeth when they talk.

The more orange juice I drink the less sense this makes. When did the US Government start hiring Owls for stakeouts?

My phone buzzed.

New message.

It was @head-shot harry again.

“Owl is dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.”

Oh.

That makes more sense.

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