Arthur’s Comments (group member since Oct 25, 2008)

Arthur’s comments from the Short Story Contests group.

These are stories that are ALWAYS less than 75 words. Today's topic is Late.

You may write your story to be a really short self story, personal mystery or experience. It can be anything

That's-um a strong 'short story' and I can certainly picture it as a becoming for a stage performance to create awareness ~ Ann Jillian and a jealousy rage

The first & third look familiar, I think I've seen them before. The second reminds me of fable writers. But. The third one, the child looks disabled. Hum, very conscious pictures.

Just jk'n. You cover this topic a lot in your stories. We could do it soon some week. Maybe my next turn I 'll post it. Clare and I take turns posting the topics. We usually choose our own or take one from the suggested of topics. Right now Clare is trying to pick a new picture for the next picture story contest. She's open to suggestions.

If they exist.

. . . more of last week's . . .

chapter 3

Tucker Coe parked in the back of the university. They got out of the technical looking truck far enough from the university’s entrances to distract attention. There was a lot involved in parking in the university’s parking lot, still not to alert students or anyone should they appear slightly curious while on campus. This could spell hardship.

Samuel and Edwin had just woke. Their feeling was that they just slept across the province through late last night.

“Who knows where we are?” Tuck asked. Samuel and Edwin both went to U of T for their degree.

“I guess my senses are tingling and with my cell phone I can get us there.” Edwin assured Tuck. “Tuck, you do not need to come out to the sight to work with us. You can check into our hotel and get some rest if you’re not up to it.”

“I would like too but I just can’t think to rest until I know a little more of what we are doing here.” with a smile he then said rubbing his chin, “I didn’t see old Mr. Moon do anything late last night. Or anything. So really, I’d like to hang out a while guys.”

Pulling out a cooler of bottles, tuck said “Water?”

“Sure.”

“Same here.”

They opened a bottle each and they gulped them down.

“Edwin, your brother Donald right, got involved first I take it? And his friendship with this Richard Stack is what?”

“They graduated together, they’ve worked before together.”

“You?”

“No. This’d be the first time. He wants people outside of TO city.”

“I’m the only guy not from TO dudes.”

“Then you are in for the TO sweets treat. It’s a big world and growing faster too.” Samuel had wanted to come back some time to Toronto, but he couldn’t imagine it involving a mystery.

“Nay, Modern and cool looking I’ll give you. But is it attractive? I’ll settle for Ottawa.” Tuck replied. He was hard headed when it came to entertainment. A fast city might mean worse conditions than he is used to.

“Well ha; we live with you in Ottawa.” Samuel stated. “It was kind of a shame Toronto didn’t grow to keep growing as Ottawa did. But Toronto has some really nice cities around it and historical ones too.”

“That’s what I mean. Old cities are attractive. Toronto is a new city. After we get some rest we can have a night out in some place quiet. You think?” Tucker asked.

They went into the university.

“What’s the more logical next move?” Tucker asked.

“Getting to know why we are it. And why he needed this help we are offering. But remember he can’t or won’t trust anyone else.”

Name: Leaves of Spring
by: Arthur
Word Count: 643

notes: I intend to add the remaining as I go along, and am able to write it. I'll add it chapter by chapter.
.......................

Chapter One
The Leaves of Spring

In warmer climates the St. Lawrence Wetlands had been getting people throughout the summers on the river attracting them to cooler lake shores. Now the frozen surface of the lake had been cold and dry and covered mostly of ice.

The coming warm weather helped thaw thick layers of ice and soon it will become officially the spring. Spring came in the day and winter returned in the night. Donald Westlake had been working for the U.S. military biology sector. He was a matured man who was quiet and innovative and peacefulness had been hardened into him. As a veteran of marine science and biology, he had never been over for a tour of duty while in service, but his carrier in bioscience was checking water reserve in restricted water areas lying in many of the more northerly hemispheric reserved found in many protected parks. His keen general knowledge and being aware as well as protective of nature with his traveling widely and his attributing to the welfare of the canals and water systems was well respected.

Richard Stark a colleague in this field of biology had been a tall dark skinned younger man with fine looking hair, thinning and graying in spots. He had been thinking of the statistics of the city bay water area in Toronto. Richard had been resident and teacher for marine biology at the University of Toronto for ten years. He was analyzing older data he collected from the library. While wearing reading glasses that reflected the monitor of a laptop he held it balanced with one arm. When hearing his cell ring for three vibrant beeps he sulked then picked it up. On his other end was Donald; Richard could hear familiar huffing snorts.

Donald had been taking samples for tests. Donald said, “There are even more people pulling into the area. It’s making this a strange place to see, you need to see this!”

“I can’t afford to come. I’ve got to get some more tests completed. So far I don’t think it’s only the surroundings.” He set the laptop on top of table next to the chair he sat. He removed his eye glasses to hold them, and crunched his chin to hold the cell phone as he worked with his hands sterilizing his lenses with a cleaner.

That night, later in Ottawa at a restaurant during the after hour hours, three men goading about their past adventures while drinking sat at a table. They finished what they had been doing and were about to leave for it was becoming late and those rushing past to get in for the happy hour. The Ottawa Corner had become cold with the door being left open every night and everyone in the city had to be somewhere in the wind.

Edwin Westlake sat down a coffee cup with a grin. He had listened to Tucker Coe’s story about the Indians before, but tonight it had some charge for him. Leaning back he took his coat. Stood up and put it on and his hat, then said, “Well men I must retire I hope to see you all tomorrow. I’ve got to get out of this dreadful draft and noise. Tuck I hope you find an artist to paint your stories.” He chuckled; he then stopped flipped up his cell phone for it just had three distinct vibrant beeps.

Samuel Holt resting at the table pulled out his cell checking if he missed any of his messages. He found none except one, which was less important as it is from his mother. He realized he forgot and had not called her yet this week surely that was what was important. He gave up.

Edwin sat back down. He cleared his throat. “Tuck, you notice anything strange in the Valley area in the air?” he asked.

“Not really. Mars is phenomenally close again. The moon too maybe, my old professor would say that when the moon is this close it wants something.”

The men chuckled. They gathered coats and left.

chapter 2

Donald had returned at the University with his samples he had taken to analyze. “I just don’t see what this stuff is?”
“You found anything yet?” Richard asked briefly, looking up.
“That’s just it Richard. Nothing is unusual about these samples. No tests I did, any I can think of will get any results. Do you think I may have not noticed something?” Donald asked.
“Samuel Holt’s on the way. He’ll get deeper into the rocks and soil for samples also. Maybe that something just hasn’t surfaced to the top just yet.”
There’s not a maybe. And it’s not what I am thinking either. It’s your call of course. I think you have good resources here, of course. It’s just if something is creating people to come out of their homes to see something and the government don’t know what this is yet, its not on the surface then there’s simply something more complex and deeper in the works here. And I don’t truly know if I can solve this mystery.”
“There are no unsolvable mysteries today. No more. No big foot – UFO landings or contact of the third kind Donald. This is science. this has to be something coming, and I mean coming in a geological phenomenon. Can’t you just feel the crowds and what they come to feel? They don’t know it yet neither. And neither do us.” he hadn’t looked like he was sure. He breathed in his unlikely words. Richard glared at Donald with promise now. “With the total rate they keep coming in and staying, the sudden increases . . . whatever it is, it’s soon. Donald. Donald did you know birds observe differently than humans?”
“If you sit quietly they don’t become distracted, they need too be cautious and can as a type of behavior.” Donald admitted.
“And that makes them different enough to still have wings and feathers.”
“The dodo is extinct.” Donald said, he wondered.
“Just a point. And it probably wasn’t very bird like either.” Richard said.

Good going. Congrats, all the stuff. Supper!!

Instructions:
Please do not use a story previously used on goodreads. After the week's contest, you are welcome to put it on your profile writings, but please refrain from using stories you have already put on there.

You have until Saturday afternoon to post a story on here. Please post it directly onto this topic, rather than posting a link. Also, please do not discuss stories on here. You must go to Weekly Short Story Contest Discussion for that. This will avoid any clutter and confusion, so that people can simply come on here and read the story, without having to read comments on the story.

This week's Topic is Half If anyone has any objections to this topic, please go to the Objections post. The rules are pretty loose. Half, half can mean anything it could be half of something, or the entire only showing a half. It could be during a half time. Or you may wish to describe something in halves like apricots.

Weekly stories must be at least 500 words long to 2,500 words long. (if the whole story won't fit in one post, divide it into two)

Good luck!

Arthur [acting for Clare:]

P.S. PLEASE say if you would like to have your story on Short Story Galore, if you win. This way it wouldn't take me ages to get your consent afterwards. This includes adding a link to your stories. If you want to have your story on the Short Story Galore, but not the link, just say so.

These are stories that are ALWAYS less than 75 words. Today's topic is eclipse.

You may write your story to be a really short self story, personal mystery or experience. It can be anything

You have until Sunday afternoon to post a poem on here before the Topic changes. Please post it directly onto this topic, rather than posting a link. You're welcome to discuss poems on here also.

This week's Topic is pins. If anyone has any objections to this topic, please go to the Poetry Topic Objections post.


Poems can be as long and short as you want them to be. This is not a contest, it's just for fun and to show off our own poetry.

Glad. Thanks you G's.

Vote for your favorite story. ((Please no more stories. This contest is now closed. Will be back Monday with a new topic, look forward to it.))

~continued


“Where is it going” Alice thought. “Where am I?” Alice wondered.
As the rabbit leaped into a house Alice followed. “Is this his house?” Alice wondered.
it was in the house a long time and Alice wondered when it would come back out.
“Oh, Mr. Rabbit. Are you here?” Alice shouted.
“Quiet!” it exclaimed. “I can’t find my potion.”
“Is this it?” Alice asked, finding a bottle outside in the dirt.
“Is it?” it asked looking out. “Why yes, I think it is.” it exclaimed.
“What is it?” Alice asked. “What does it potion for?”
“It’s to drink. Then I can pass through the metallic wall by potion magic and see the King. Only I can see the king.” it exclaimed.
A potion was the dissolutions to passing through the metallic wall that protected the magical kingdom.
“Oh, Mr. Rabbit, I found it. Can you take me with you?” Alice asked.
“Certainly, NOT!” exclaimed the rabbit. “I have matters with the king. You. You are a girl.” the rabbit said.
“I AM!” Alice exclaimed in boredom. “I am, but I want to see the king.”
“I must be going little girl. I shall not be late!” the rabbit slipped out of the house and ran for the darkness with Alice following.
“I shall not be late!” it exclaimed running into the dark.
“Why?” Alice asked.
“The king is very promiscuous about these matters. The next thing he says is ‘off with their heads!’” then with thinking it over it exclaimed “It’s awful.”
They ran past dodoes, tortoises and whales. Humpty Dumpty and his nephews, and several elves. They ran past a group of cards playing a game of fish.
They slid down a slipper slid and tumbled into a metallic wall. it was giant. it confusing pattern of the wall was like a maze or labyrinth. Only Alice was lost outside it. The rabbit exclaimed, “I must part with you on the adventure little girl. Hand over the potion or I will bit off your hand.”
Alice was shocked. “I am not a little girl. I’m taller than you and am eight. You are a hedge rabbit and as small as a stew as them come.”
This doesn’t make things better arguing. She pulled out the potion and slid off the cork. “I take the first sip. Then you.” Alice told the rabbit. She watched its eyes grow big and black and raw like ebony.
“Suit yourself.” exclaimed the rabbit.
Alice took a swallow. “What will it do?” Alice asked.
“I don’t know. I found my potion,” and the rabbit lifted it out of his coat. I don’t know what that will do.”
Alice began to grow big into a giant. Soon she could see over the wall and see the castle on the other side. Then she could see the rabbit running through the metallic wall and towards the castle.
Alice waited all day and she was still a large person. She hardly knew what to do with herself she was so big. The sky had been clouds and she could smell the chesses on the moon.
Alice began to cry and hear tears created a stream under her feet. She lost her balance and toppled over the wall falling into the labyrinth.
Giant waves of shocks hitting the labyrinth so hard shook everything. She watched everything rock including Humpty falling over onto his nephews. Alice’s fall made such a big hole the ground around her filled up deep with her tears making it into mud. She found she was stuck in the mud.
“What am I going to do?” Alice thought. She tried not to worry. She wanted to try to read the label of the bottle but she dropped it. She was almost certain it was also too small to see.

Alice fell asleep stuck in mud. When she awoke it was to humming of the rabbit. “That’s a fine mess miss not little,” it exclaimed as it took off his hat while watching Alice opening her eyes. “You finally see what I mean about having the right potion to pass through the wall, going up will never do.”
“Oh, Mr. Rabbit you returned. What did the king say?”
Alice enquired, ever trying to oversee the situation she now found herself in. she was as big as the castle but many miles away.
“Only that you created a disturbance,” it said.
“Oh no! I’m so, so, sorry Mr. Rabbit to disturb the majesties court. I don’t know what I was thinking.” Alice said.
“I haven’t an idea either,” it said to Alice. “My poor child, you must come down some way. Can you see this bottle I’m holding?” the rabbit asked.
“Afraid no,” Alice said.
“Oh. It’s a potion. Remember the one I used to pass through the wall?” it asked.
“I suppose,” Alice remarked.
“This is a potion to help you down.” it said.
“Do you know it will work?” Alice asked.
“It you got up there, and then this will make you down again,” it said.
“Oh, Mr. Rabbit, I don’t know quite how to thank you. I see so little from where I’m from, I just hoped we could become friends.” Alice exclaimed.
“It will also make your head a little dizzy but here goes.” it said. It ran up on her lip and poured the liquid down her mouth. She first twitched then she felt as if the ground around her let go and she was falling back to the earth. Then she felt like she was slipping through the wind. The earth flashed before her eyes only she was not going to land hard or at all. She passed right through the metallic wall. Alice falls through the metallic wall. She began to slide through the earth and the velocity hurled her giant body up through the other side of the earth and she kept falling. But the mixture of the potion and her weight pulled her up instead of back down further lifting and into outer space. Then she slipped onto the Hubble Telescope as it was pulling away from the earth to take its last journey and fall to its watery grave. Alice was now on the telescope and falling to a watery grave as the telescope.

Title: Down in the Basement
Author: Arthur
Words: 2042

…………………..


Down in the basement was where anyone can find Alice dreaming about being rich and powerful as her father. The inventory had a store of hordes of very rare old coins minted in the 16th and sometimes 17th centuries. Gold AND silver.

Anyway. Here goes what happened to inspire the popular children’s story well known today. That’s right another Alice adventure.

Once upon a time in a far away country, too far away for Alice to have know properly and find it on a map. She lived on the sea shore. It was in a top of a mountain on that sea. She thought about the sea all day and always heard it shake the earth as water fall after fall crashed against the near shores. A wonderful life existed for just Alice a lone child.

In another distant part of this same kingdom another man was doing his nightly labor recording astronomy observations in his big book of calculations. Sidney was looking through his telescope. What suddenly caught him and his eyes was a large comet that had no tail. It was a clear rectangular shape. It was black or metallic or something.

so when it crashed it crashed into the ground. but Sidney didn’t know it landed from his seeing it in his telescope, he thought it just was another unexplainable object of the night sky, going to fast to trace with his observatory, so he only recorded it in his big book of calculations of wonderful ideas and all kinds of astronomy observations.

Later in the next day when the sun set over Alice a little girl as she understood as she was standing in her front yard mourning her dead cat. It died during the night from real old age. Miffin Muffin was older than Alice was herself. Miffin Muffin was older than the house she lived in together. Her house high up from the sea along a deep cliff, almost a castle and actually had caves her father master Sheldon always told her to stay away from, because caves would mean danger.

Alice walked out onto the yard with her glass of milk and toast that she always did eat at breakfast. She always will skip fattening cereals and cookies in the mornings usually, as her mama does until holidays and tea. Sitting on a yard stool she watched the yard cocks crowning and scuttling when James threw them food. He always did it to shut them up.

She wondered about the fat lazy hen she saw yesterday, and why it had never laid eggs any more. She wondered if it will be long before Alice saw it at the diner table. Then she got up and moved freely about disappointed once again about her cat.

James stopped by in his work just then. “Don’t look so sad Miss Alice. You knew yous cat was ill though, if it was stiff, all through the night it was for a week and she would need to rest in peace. Now what the matter? The master is going into town, why don’t you just ask him for another, ah? Ask th’ master to find yous a kitten that you can grow accustomed too.”

James was stubborn and old and plain odd. And Alice knew if she didn’t, James would find a way of picking one out for her by Christmas and maybe can then surprise her with it if it was from like Santa Claus and a Christmas miracle. She loved James, and she hated the idea of a new kitten.

Alice did always consider James words though. A true English gentleman he had been once before he became dotty. He feed the cocks then he shooed them away and he then attended the horses. He always greeted the guests who have come to their home. He always rode together with her father to town. But that still didn’t make Alice feel better.

Alice let out a deep sigh.

As James was gone Alice wandered in her depression toward the walls and pressed her ears against them to listen to the sounds of the crashes of tides. They were deep crashes today and had solid booms like a storm had been in the near future. Alice decided to go into the house. She wanted to count her fathers beautiful deposits of money he saved from being melted and were of great value today. Sadly she knew she wasn’t yet allowed out of the house or in the dark basement of the castle where there was nothing left.

She walked to her room. James was busy. The tutors didn’t teach in the summer because it was to hot. but children didn’t mind the heat. Alice settled for a book. it was a wonderful book she read over and over again. She took it and decided to go to the orchard to read.

In the orchard Alice saw a rabbit. Usually rabbits were scares because the kitchen cook person hunted them and James some. But this one was man tall and wore a tall hat. The rabbit was running. Alice decided to follow. It dove behind the wall and through a crack in the wall. Alice had not ever notice cracks in the walls. She also wasn’t sure how that tall animal wearing a hat got through the crack. Alice tried.

Alice wiggled free of the ground but she fell through the wall and landed hard. It took her breath. She looked up to see that unusual rabbit again. Only this time it was running in the dark.

“I must be late!” it exclaimed.
“Late for what?” Alice asked.
“I must see the king about matters!” it exclaimed. “Where’s my hat?”
“Here it is. Can I wear it?” Alice asked.
“No you fool. I must presently be to the king because I’m the president.” it took it and swept away in a hurry.
Alice ran after it in the same direction as the rabbit.

~continue

You're great at psychology Randi, that made sense to me. Kinda a moody Kahlil Gibran the poet.

Good story H, congrats!!

These are stories that are ALWAYS less than 75 words. Today's topic is Day.

You may write your story to be a really short self story, personal mystery or experience. It can be anything

((And remember if you are voting, pick from the featured poll contest. http://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/15... ))

either 1?