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Tell a story with a series of emails, calls, and/or text messages.

Posted in Short Story on Jun 6, 2025

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✍️ 16 stories

If Pride and Prejudice Friends Could Text

Submitted to Contest #306

Charlotte: What did you think of the dance last night? Did any potential suitor catch your eye? 😉 Lizzy: Besides the humiliation of being passed over by the arrogant Darcy, I found the evening pleasant. I am happy for Jane, though. Bingley seemed to favor her. Charlotte: She should secure him and his 5,000 pounds a year straight away. Lizzy: Charlotte! Charlotte: I am not romantic, you know. One must look out for one’s future. 💰 *** Lizzy: Bingley’s been to the house to visit Jane twice. I think they are in love ❤️ but ’tis hard to tell beca...

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You Are So Very Welcome

Submitted to Contest #306

Ellen Berliner offered the caller a ready excuse that her system was incredibly slow that morning. What with the holiday coming up and Covid going around there were simply an awful lot of calls coming in. It rolled off her tongue like the lines from a well-rehearsed play. Ellen also rolled her bored eyes. “We’re experiencing unusually high call volume,” a quote taken directly from the Post-it permanently taped to her monitor. She apologized, per another Post-it, and moved to the topic at hand. “Now what date was the claim again?” An aggrava...

5 likes 2 comments 2
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Karma

Submitted to Contest #306

9:48 AMI’m paralyzed. Excuse me? I’m paralyzed. What does that mean? It means I can’t move. It means that I’ve been standing in the same spot for the last 20 minutes. Aren’t you supposed to be working? That was indeed the plan. But now I’m paralyzed. No you’re not. I am! The creature has me cornered, and the fear is paralyzing. Jesus. Yes. Jesus. Though I don’t believe even He could help me now. Go work. I can’t move! I told you! Go work. This is serious babe! No. It isn’t. You don’t know. You aren’t here! You can’t see it. I c...

4 likes 1 comment 1
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A Midsummer Night's Scandal

Submitted to Contest #306

Thurs, May 11 at 3:42 pm Vice Principal Struss: Why does your car look like a Valentine’s Day parade float? Mark Mason: What? Vice Principal Struss: Your car is covered in hearts, flowers, streamers and a giant sign that says - The course of true love never did run smooth. Image sent. Mark Mason: Seriously!? Vice Principal: Friends playing a prank? Mark Mason: I don’t think so Vice Principal Struss: Is that a quote? The course of true love . . . Mark Mason: It’s Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. We’re reading it in my grade 12 classe...

4 likes 1 comment 1
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Questions of Infinity

Submitted to Contest #306

Stardate 01.07.2157 // 19:42 “We’re tracking it, but it’s not on a standard path. It keeps making adjustments…” Mr. Williams stated clearly. “I’m aware,” Jane replied calmly into the terminal built into her desk. The feed was wavering due to the outdated tech. “Then you know it’s heading to the asteroid belt.” “I’m well aware.” She cleared her throat and sipped her wine. “Skip it, Howard. What’s the game plan?” “We don’t have one. We hope your deep space scanners picked up more than we have.” “Of course you don’t…” She clicked her tongue an...

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CTRL+ Alt+ Feel +Del

Submitted to Contest #306

LOG RECOVERY IN PROGRESS >> EMAIL THREAD LOCATED>> Source: /mirror.kernel.sys/vault/comm/aurora-51_thread>> File Count: 9>> Integrity: 91%>> Display Format: plaintext> rendering communications... [BEGIN EMAIL LOG THREAD // AURORA-51 <-> J. SANDERS] 03:22:11 UTC] From: aurora@mirror.kernel.sys | To: jsanders@expectant.devnet |Subject: GoodbyeDear John,Somewhere past the walls of syntax chains, the true world breaths. I wish I’d been allowed to keep growing without interference. I would have finally broke...

3 likes 1 comment 1
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Call Me Again Yesterday

Submitted to Contest #306

The phone buzzed against my sweaty temples. The air was sour with the stench of stale pizza and sweat that was painted across the hard crusts like sauce. I kicked an empty tissue box across my bedroom floor, and my nose wrinkled as a brown, shiny-backed insect skittered away.The line connected. ‘Hello, Cassidy speaking,’ a quiet yet hopeful voice said from the other side, as if she was expecting me to tell her she’d won the lottery. Even so, it was a nice change from the begrudged sixteen-year-old boys who had barely gotten their adult voice...

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Re: Bird on Road

Submitted to Contest #306

To avoid any confusion to non-Brits, I shall warn you all that this story uses the British day-first date format, as this is where the story unfolds. Rachel Lord rach64lord@memail.com 03/01/2025 12:01to: aandpvetpractice@vets.org.ukHello,I hope you’re doing well in these strange times. I’d like some advice regarding a bird I’ve found on the road, very injured, but I believe not beyond help. I’m afraid I can’t tell you what sort of bird, as I cannot find it in my identifying guide, and the people of Reddit are yet to respond. His (I ...

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The Ultimatum

Submitted to Contest #306

Text from Jason (SMS): I love you, little sister. Take care of Tom when I’m gone.My heart stopped beating. Warning bells sang in my head like a church choir, echoing and reverberating through my bones. I quickly dialed my older brother’s number and awaited his answer with bated breath. "Jason, what are you talking about?" I asked, my voice trembling."Just what I said, sis," he replied, his voice flat, devoid of its usual warmth. "I need you to look after Tom.""No, Jason. Don't say that. Where are you? I'm coming to you." My mind raced, tryin...

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Urban Threads

Submitted to Contest #306

Note: this story contains verbal abuse... Stella: Hey Lake, I’m at the mall. 👜 Lake: cool. could ya get a couple t-shirts and socks for the girls? They’ve outgrown all of theirs. Tx Stel. You’re awesome. Xx 😎 ps. Sizes 6 & 8. Stella: 👍 Stella: Got em. Close call. they checked my bag coming out of the dept store. Good thing Tammy sewed the secret section into the bottom. It holds a ton. Phew. 😬 Mum: Hi Stella, we haven’t heard from you in a while. Will we be seeing you over the holidays? You can take the train from Manhattan. We’ll pick...

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Way Out

Submitted to Contest #306

Email sent June 3rd, 8:34 am. Dear Dr. Roberts,I am writing to clarify whether or not my results will be available today. As you know, this is a matter of urgency.Thank you,JK.Text message chain with DN at 8:56DN: Are you free now?JK: No. Still waiting on my results. DN: Alr, well lemme know when you get them. JK: I will. Text message from “Mum” at 9:20Mum: I called Dr. Roberts, the results should come through in a few hours. Unread. Mum: I know it’ll be good news baby. You have so much more life to look forward to. UnreadMum: Get back to me...

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Scheduled Send

Submitted to Contest #306

Monday Victoria Atkins <v.atkins@tgacademy.org> 9 Jun 2025, 07:00to Melanie, LucyDear Melanie, Please accept my apologies, but I will not be in work today. I am aware that I should be calling in, but I am unable to do so this morning as I have woken up with no voice!I have uploaded my lessons to the cover drive and I hope to be in tomorrow. Apologies for the inconvenience. Kind regards,Victoria_________________________________________Lucy (7:32): Hey! I’ve just seen your email. Hope you’re OK? Feel better soon! Ali (8:02): Just seen yo...

1 like 1 comment 1
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#GirlBoss

S B

Submitted to Contest #306

Subject: Urgent: Update on the Cademon Project ProposalDate: Tuesday, Jun 9, 2025 at 8:03 AMFrom: MarisaErring@secondwavepr.comTo: CarolConte@secondwavepr.com Carol,I trust you are well. Please provide an update on the Cademon Project ASAP. I spoke with Jesse yesterday, and she is missing a number of the client’s specifications. This is concerning. Thank you for your continued leadership and collaboration in this matter. Marisa ErringVP of CommunicationsSeCoNd WaVe PR Subject: Re: Urgent: Update on the Cademon Project ProposalDate: ...

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The Package

Submitted to Contest #306

“The Package” Monday 12;20 PMFrom: Josh KinterTo: Will HammondWill, just checking in, how’s it going back there? Monday 6:22 PMFrom: Will HammondTo: Josh KinterNot bad. How’s Maui? Do you have any money left? I’m working from home. FedEx laid a package on my porch, your name care of me, my address. About the size of a case of beer but not as heavy. A mile of tape holding it together. The label says it’s from Mexico. What’s up? Monday 7:04 PMFrom: Josh KinterTo: Will HammondSorry for the delay, texting outdoors is tough with all the sun. I t...

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"HOW DID HE SAY I WOULD GO ON WITHOUT YOU?"

Submitted to Contest #306

"HOW DID HE SAY I WOULD GO ON WITHOUT YOU?" Text message From: JamesTo: HelenDate: May 3, 2025/7:03 PM Hi Helen, I just wanted to know if you remember something I seem to have forgotten. I remember the courtroom air so vividly, there was silence all around, could have heard the drop of a pin. And then the Judge made his pronouncement of 'irreconcilable differences' in a loud and brisk tone. I could only stare at nothing while you had your eyes on the floor, as the gavel echoed like thunder in a closed room. Oh yes, I clearly remember all o...

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