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“Flipping the Bird” by Writers with No Name

Posted on September 24, 2012 by writer

Character: Police station clerk
Action: Tightening a knot
Setting: A meeting for a subversive group
Prop: Decorative songbirds made from vinyl records

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Flipping the Bird

by Writers with No Name

“So,” Cliff picks up a molded vinyl Chickadee from a long row of metal shelving and flips it in the air. “What’s with the fucking birds?”

Howard slumps in his metal chair. “My wife made them. It’s why I called the meeting.”

“Jesus, Howard, you want me to buy some birds, all you got to do is fucking ask. Why you got to bring me here off-hours?”

Cliff swings his head to take in the long rows of neatly tagged and bagged evidence. Darryl picks up one of the decorative songbirds and turns it over, scanning it in silence. Like ebon origami, the bird is a delicately folded and stretched vinyl record, softened in boiling water. The label – Charlie Parker with String – is somehow still intact.

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“Hypnos” by Team WonderBra

Posted on September 24, 2012 by writer

Congratulations to Team WonderBra for winning the 2012 Readers’ Choice Award!

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Character: Police station clerk
Action: Tightening a knot
Setting: A meeting for a subversive group
Prop: Decorative songbirds made from vinyl records

***

Hypnos

by Team WonderBra

I can’t stop kicking the leg of my chair under my seat.  The clock says 2, and it’s the first moment today I’ve noticed the time at all. I can’t remember how many hours it’s been since I sat down in this chair. Hell, maybe it’s been minutes.  Maybe the junkie sitting across from me has been here for days, drifting in an out of a fitful sleep as he pulls at his tattered Batman t-shirt. Maybe he knows the secret of rewinding time back to yesterday, and if I shake him hard enough and plead with him enough and tell him what a terrible and unfair thing has happened, his glassy eyes will soften and he will look at me with understanding and oblige me. But he only stares at me, letting me know he hasn’t slept for days and wants things to be normal too.  I keep kicking back and forth into the chair leg, wanting it to punish me back.

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“The Princess and the Hobo: A Portland Fable” by Skinner and Sinner

Posted on September 24, 2012 by writer

Character: Police station clerk
Action: Tightening a knot
Setting: A meeting for a subversive group
Prop: Decorative songbirds made from vinyl records

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The Princess and the Hobo: A Portland Fable

by Skinner and Sinner

I wondered whether flesh was under the fabric of the two forms approaching as I slumped against Skidmore fountain. In a way, they were angels completing our circle of protection.

“Dan, how’s Sarge?” asked Hank, rubbing between furry ears.

Sarge’s steel collar tinkled like a music box over the bubbling fountain. His tongue lagged out too big for his mouth.

Pat revealed a bottle inside his jacket.

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“Life in Knots” by The Novelettes

Posted on September 24, 2012 by writer

Congratulations to The Novelettes for winning in the 2012 Team category!

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Character: Police station clerk
Action: Tightening a knot
Setting: A meeting for a subversive group
Prop: Decorative songbirds made from vinyl records

***

Life in Knots

by The Novelettes

I know I just said goodbye to you as you headed out the door, off to another one of your science classes I think, but I have always hated saying goodbye and prefer hellos instead.

So hello, I am your Dad.  Remember me?  You and I have been best friends for a long time, just you and me against the world and all that good stuff.  I couldn’t ask for a better friend.  Who else would have taught me how to play with Playdough and color in coloring books?  Who else but you would indulge me whenever I get inspired by one of my kooky projects?  We have always taken care of each other.  

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“Untitled” by Bethany G. & Callie V.

Posted on September 24, 2012 by writer

Character: Police station clerk
Action: Tightening a knot
Setting: A meeting for a subversive group
Prop: Decorative songbirds made from vinyl records

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Untitled

by Bethany G. & Callie V.

Dear Jill,

As promised, the food here is good, and having someone to check in on me every once in a while is appreciated.

Much love, miss you always.

What is Facebook?

Grandma Maude.

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