Three boxes. My choice: cardboard, tin or gold.

The studio audience scream out their advice, words that bounce around the auditorium, indistinguishable in the cacophony of sound. I read their thoughts as they dip into their meagre reserve of Shakespearean quotes. ‘All that glistens…’

Deafening me to the prattle of the host, the phrase reverberates inside me, ‘All that glistens is not…’.  The sound engineer embellishes the denouement with dramatic music, as I step forward to claim my moment in the spotlight.

My hand trembles as it reaches out and points to the golden box. The room falls silent.

    3 2 votes
    Post Rating
    16 Comments
    Oldest
    Newest Most Voted
    Inline Feedbacks
    View all comments
    Voice-Team
    Voice-Team(@voice-team)
    Admin
    2 years ago

    A tension-filled story told well. Wonderful use of the hundred word limit!  

    Fuji
    Fuji(@fuji)
    2 years ago

    What an exciting story, Susan! You packed a lot of energy into a very few words, thus inspiring us all. You even managed to work in a bit of Shakespeare. Great work!

    Fuji
    Fuji(@fuji)
    Reply to  Susan Dawson
    2 years ago

    You seem to have mastered this new art form on the first try. Your writing feels effortless, as if you had written hundreds of 100 word stories!

    Eric Radcliffe
    Eric Radcliffe(@eric-radcliffe)
    2 years ago

    I think everyone who enters the 100 word contest will all be saying the same thing Susan. I enjoyed your story too, you captured the tension of the game show beautifully, I’d love to know what was in the box? (you can whisper if you like)

    Last edited 2 years ago by Eric Radcliffe
    Linda Rock
    Linda Rock(@linda-rock)
    2 years ago

    I love a cliffhanger Susan! So many sounds come through in your story that really bring it to life and the excitement is palpable. I felt I was actually there.

    Carrie OLeary
    Carrie OLeary(@carrie-oleary)
    2 years ago

    I think we all want to know, what happens next? Nice description of a game show situation.

    Christer Norrlof
    Christer Norrlof(@christer-norrlof)
    2 years ago

    In spite of the small format, you manage to build up tension in your story, Susan. Even more so at the end when the protagonist, as opposed to all advice, goes for the golden box. Exciting!
    I love the expression ‘their meagre reserve of Shakespearean quotes’!

    Greene M Wills
    Greene M Wills(@greene-m-wills)
    2 years ago

    I thought about the Magi’s gifts and wondered if the gold box was the right one for that particular person at that exact time… A shiver of suspense in 100 words, loved it!!

    Katerina Bizirtsaki
    Katerina Bizirtsaki(@katerina-bizirtsaki)
    2 years ago

    What an ending! And I certainly love how you fitted Shakespearean quotes in this extraordinarily short story. Nicely done, Susan!

    Katerina Bizirtsaki
    Katerina Bizirtsaki(@katerina-bizirtsaki)
    Reply to  Susan Dawson
    2 years ago

    I have no doubt you’ll be able to write as long as you’d like, Susan. You’ve proved to us that you’re indeed capable of doing so!

    Lotchie Carmelo
    Lotchie Carmelo(@lotchie-carmelo)
    2 years ago

    Hello, Susan. This story is so exciting. I enjoyed it so much.

    Recent Comments

    16
    0
    Selected Authors may submit comments (5 Credits)x
    ()
    x
    Scroll to Top

    Sharing a Post

    Why do my friends need to SignIn to read the post I shared?

    Actually, this is a voting security feature. During public voting, only club members can read posts submitted for that contest. Since anyone reading the story is able to vote (click the Like button), we reserve these capabilities to members who SignIn. Before we implemented this security feature, people were voting multiple times and making the public voting process unfair and out of balance. To fix this, our staff finally decided to allow only members who SignIn to read the stories. Membership is free and easy, and ensures our club is safe, secure, and family-friendly!