The Other McCain

"One should either write ruthlessly what one believes to be the truth, or else shut up." — Arthur Koestler

Friday Fiction: 100 Word Challenge

by Smitty He looked at the picture, staring forward at his grown self. He glanced at his watch, seated at international arrivals. Sign said she’d arrived. He and his sister had been fortunate to be taken in by an orphanage shortly after the picture. He’d lost her not long after his adoption. They had sought […]

Friday Fiction: 100 Word Challenge

by Smitty Dad’s absence hung in the air like a cloud obscuring the sun on an otherwise glorious day. Halfway through the annual fishing trip, Grandpa had changed. Finally, she couldn’t take it any longer. “Is it Daddy?” she ventured. Grandpa staggered visibly. “He won’t be back from Syria, honey.” “Mom and Grandma last year […]

Friday Fiction: 100 Word Challenge

by Smitty Looked like his car pulling up, headlights affording the room a sunburst before they grew more interested in the driveway. She took a drag on her “medicinal” cigarette holder, pulling the smoke into her lungs deeply, glad for the source of calmness. The motor stopped. The car door slammed. The gravel proclaimed each […]

Friday Fiction: 100 Word Challenge

by Smitty Joe & Rose had done thousands of shows. A living. Of a sweltering day, they were approaching a “dangerous” point, when “Dracalcoatl, the Blood-Drinking Vampire Snake” would appear to be about to fang Rose’s helpless throat. Of course, “D” was out of range; the tension delivered by illusion. Until Sparky in the front […]

Friday Fiction: 100 Word Challenge

by Smitty “Synechdoche.” “YES!!!?!” her rant not even slightly paused by the rhetorical term. “I TELL YOU MY CHILDHOOD DREAM OF OWNING A THRESHOLD OPENING ONTO A BREATHTAKING VIEW, AND YOU BLOW MILLIONS OF DOLLARS ON THIS?” “It seemed like a pretty good gag at the time.” “YOU STUPID FOOL! I should force you to […]

Friday Fiction: 100 Word Challenge

by Smitty “Sometimes you’re the dog; sometimes you’re the fire hydrant,” mused R. “Yep. Shifting elements, sometimes you’re on fire; sometimes the hydrant doesn’t put out,” replied B. They sat in the dim bar so far out in Georgetown that it was more like Bethesda. “I have literally no idea what to do next. It’s […]

Friday Fiction: 100 Word Challenge

by Smitty The three oppressors stood between her and Union Station. Apart from being her older “sisters”, there was no Cinderella resemblance. “Where do you think you’re going?” snarled Nancy, the oldest, as they closed. She strode. “Well?” echoed Barbara, as they closed. Her fists clenched. “Answer us!” screamed Dianne. And she did, with roundhouse […]

Friday Fiction: 100 Word Challenge

by Smitty Dear Mom & Dad, I knew you wouldn’t approve, so I didn’t ask. I’m going to the Big City. Boise. Don’t blame yourselves. You are wonderful parents. I wouldn’t’ve had the money for the bus ticket if you weren’t so good at teaching a girl how to raise hogs. I’ve got a roommate […]

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