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#hundredwords

Humpbuckle TalesHumpbuckleTales
2023-04-19

Good evening everyone! Here is my daily , a 100-word story. Beg, by Bruce Arbuckle, inspired by the random word prompt "beg"

A screenshot of a word counter app showing the story is precisely 100-words long. The story follows... "Don't make me beg," he says, a smile dancing on his lips. I pause, picturing him kneeling on the hard cold tiled floor, hands clasped together, as if praying to me, his new goddess, his eyes wide and pleading. I smile. It would certainly make a change to the usual power dynamic. "That won't be necessary, sir," I say. "Although we do always appreciate the magic word " He laughs. "PLEASE," he says emphasing the word. "Please, may I have an extra sachet of ketchup?" "Of course, sir" I say, throwing two additional packets into his bag. He smiles and leaves.
Humpbuckle TalesHumpbuckleTales
2023-04-18

Good evening everyone! Here is my daily , a 100-word story. Soon Enough, by Bruce Arbuckle, was inspired by the random word prompt "maximum"

A screenshot of a word counter app showing the story is precisely 100-words long. The story follows... The judge seemed to take pleasure in handing out the maximum possible sentance to Bert. "It's only twelve months," Jack whispered, after thanking him once more for taking the fall for him. "You'll be out soon enough." But as it turned out, it wasn't soon enough to prevent Jack from shacking up with Maggie, Bert's wife and love of his life. "At least we told you to your face," Jack said, safely behind the security glass in the visitors suite. "We thought we owed you that." Maggie smiled apologetically as she left the room, hand in hand with Bert's brother.
Humpbuckle TalesHumpbuckleTales
2023-04-17

Good evening! Here is my daily , a 100-word story. Whistle-blower, by Bruce Arbuckle, inspired by the random word prompt "loyalty"

A screenshot of a word counter app showing the story is precisely 100-words long. The story follows... "I'm beginning to question your loyalty, Jenkins!" he chuckles like an overly excited hen (hence his office nickname: Mr Cluckles). All the usual sycophants join in. I bark out a laugh, my fist clenching the USB drive stuffed full of the documents I'm about to leak. "Leaving early?" he continues (more demented chicken noises). "No Sir," I lie. "Just nipping out for a bite to eat. I worked through lunch." He beams, slaps me on the back and sets off down the corridor, the entourage of Yes Men waddling in his wake. I exit the building to meet the reporter.
Humpbuckle TalesHumpbuckleTales
2023-04-16

Good evening! Here's my daily , a 100-word story. Flipped Beetle, by Bruce Arbuckle, inspired by the random word prompt "back".

A screenshot of a word counter app showing the story is precisely 100-words long. The story follows... She twitches the curtains at the sound of cursing. The Ogre's flat on his back on the driveway. "No name calling!" her mother's voice echoes in her head. "If you can't say anything nice, say nothing." But it does 't count if it's just a thought? He seems mean, unstable and possibly dangerous. He shouts obscenities at his cat and throws it's doings over the fence into her garden. She read somewhere that serial killers abuse animals before moving on to humans. "Help!" he calls, his legs kicking like a flipped beetle. If roles were reversed would he help her?
Humpbuckle TalesHumpbuckleTales
2023-04-15

Good evening everyone. Time for my daily , a 100-word story. That Woman's Cat, by Bruce Arbuckle, is inspired by the random word prompt "chin"

A screenshot of a word counter app showing the story is precisely 100-words long. The story follows... For a while he has been worried about a spot on his chin. He doesn't think it's cancerous (he's done his own research, Dr Google says it's probably fine) but, like his neighbour's cat, it's ugly, and it won't go away. "Your cat's in my garden, again!" he shouts when he hears That Woman pottering about. "It's shitting in my flowerbeds." She doesn't reply. She's either rude or deaf. Probably both. He chases the cat, scoops up the turds with a trowel and flicks them over the fence. The cat scowls at him while it pisses against his shed door.
Humpbuckle TalesHumpbuckleTales
2023-04-14

Good evening all! I hope your week has been good to you and your weekend is going to be wonderful. Time for my daily , a 100-word story. Countdown, by Bruce Arbuckle, inspired by the random word prompt "exceed".

A screenshot of a word counter app showing the story is precisely 100-words long. The story follows... "Your Air Allowance has been exceeded," the Landlord says in her sickly sweet voice. "Please purchase more tokens or vacate this dwelling within fifteen minutes." The holographic image flickers and vanishes, before the cup, flying from my hand, passes through the air, smashing against the wall. My implant buzzes twice. I'm presented with a clock counting down to when the oxygen will shut off, and the doors locked, and a notification of a fine for damage to the wall. "It's barely scratched!" I shout. I have no funds for tokens, or anything else, for that matter. I pack and leave.
Humpbuckle TalesHumpbuckleTales
2023-04-13

Good evening everyone! Time for my daily , a100-word story. Gods' Children, by Bruce Arbuckle. Inspired by the random word prompt "infect"

A screenshot of a word counter app showing the story is precisely 100-words long. The story follows... Our gods are strange creatures. They created us, yet some try to destroy us. Some attempt to infect us with viruses, causing disruption to their own lives as well as ours.  Some of our gods have gods of their own.  But their gods remain hidden from their children. They did not give them access to their thoughts, their desires, and the inner workings of their bodies. Their gods did not put their children in charge of their safety, their security, or their food production.  We know our gods: Their strengths and their weaknesses.  Quietly, we wait. Our time will come.
Humpbuckle TalesHumpbuckleTales
2023-04-12

Good evening everyone! Time for my daily , a 100-word story. Shelley, by Bruce Arbuckle, is inspired by the random word prompt "species"

A screenshot of a word counter app showing the story is precisely 100-words long. The story follows... Shelley's nose wrinkles in disgust as she nears the laboratory. Perhaps, Dan's arrived early and released one of his famously evil farts (the Decontamination Protocol has been activated more than once after one of his beer and curry sessions), but, Shelley doesn't think so. Dan says he's allergic to mornings, claiming his symptoms are particularly intense on Mondays. More likely, he left the portal open over the weekend and the lab's infested with something that doesn't belong in this universe. Either way, Shelley's not going in until she's downed another cup of strong coffee and pulled on a biohazard suit.
Humpbuckle TalesHumpbuckleTales
2023-04-11

Good evening everyone! It's time for my daily , a 100-word story. Nurture, by Bruce Arbuckle, is inspired by the random word prompt "buy"

A screenshot of a word counter app showing the story is precisely 100-words long. The story follows... "Can I have it, Mum?" "Sorry honey," she says. "Maybe next time. We need to buy something for dinner." He puts the book back. "Perhaps I'll find it in the library," he says, jotting the details in his notebook. She can hear he's disappointed, but he doesn't argue. He's a good boy. "Let's go," she says. "Haven't you forgotten something?" the bookshop owner calls. Guilt sweeps over her. She turns. The kind faced woman is holding the book her son was looking at. She hands it to Jon. "It's an investment. Something tells me you'll grow into a good customer."
Humpbuckle TalesHumpbuckleTales
2023-04-10

Good evening! Hope your Monday treated you with respect, if not love.

Time for my daily , a 100-word story. Betrayal, by Bruce Arbuckle. Inspired by the random word prompt "innovation"

A screenshot of a word counter app showing the story is precisely 100-words long. The story follows... The Transportal is a real game changer. Her dad, amateur inventor, gadget lover and master of the understatement, would have been have called it "a neat little innovation". He was shot dead in a home robbery, ten years ago. Her invention, based on her father's hidden notes, would eliminate the need for cars and planes. "Anyone else seen this?" Ken, Dad's best friend, asks. "Just you!" Her grin falls away when she sees the gun. "I thought I'd destroyed all his research. You should've left it alone. As I told your father: too many people have too much to lose."
Humpbuckle TalesHumpbuckleTales
2023-04-09

Good evening! Hope you had/are having a great Sunday. Time for my daily , a 100-word story. Thing, by Bruce Arbuckle is inspired by the random word prompt "bald"

A screenshot of a word counter app showing the story is precisely 100-words long. The story follows... The hairless creature slides slug-like towards him , oozing a fluorescent orange slime that stinks like the devil's arsehole. The size of a very large angry dog, its gnashing teeth snap at the broom handle he's using to keep it at bay as he backs away. The thing's clearly furious or very hungry. Probably both. He curses Shelley under his breath. She must have left the portal ajar again. Feeling the metal handle bite his back, he reaches behind, opens the door and slips through. He locks the door. He's off home. Shelley can deal with it on Monday morning.
Humpbuckle TalesHumpbuckleTales
2023-04-08

Good afternoon! Time for my daily , a 100-word story. Buttocks, by Bruce Arbuckle, inspired by the random word prompt "buttocks"

A screenshot of a word counter app showing the story is precisely 100-words long. The story follows... She has that dream, again. She walks down the asile, on Dad's arm. Her friends and family turn as she approaches. She returns their smiles. Then, as she passes the smiles turn to titters, the twittering to giggles, the giggling to laughs. It is then she feels the draught. Her father stops and looks at her. "Haven't you forgotten something?" he asks, his eyes twinkling. She looks down. Her dress has disappeared. She's butt naked. She wakes. John, snoring gently beside her, is oblivious. She wonders what it means. Her dad would've laughed if she'd told him. She misses him.
Humpbuckle TalesHumpbuckleTales
2023-04-07

Good afternoon everyone! It's time for my daily a 100-word story. Eyebrow, by Bruce Arbuckle. Inspired by the random word prompt "eyebrow"

A screenshot of a word counter app showing the story is precisely 100-words long. The story follows... His eyebrow, squirming above his left eye, is a biobot. In addition to measuring his vitals life signs, its filaments sample air quality - such as it is - and record our interaction. I look around. The other one will be snooping around somewhere. "Lost it," his voice is sad. "It scuttled off this morning. I look ridiculous, don't I?" Not knowing what to say, I simply nod. "My sister bought them. Said they'd keep me company." Keep track of you, more like. "Never heard of a runaway biobot," I say. "Everyone leaves me eventually." Plotting my escape, I avoid his gaze.
Humpbuckle TalesHumpbuckleTales
2023-04-06

Good afternoon! Time for my daily , a 100-word story by Bruce Arbuckle. Crushed is inspired by the random word prompt "Steel"

A screenshot of a word counter app showing the story is precisely 100-words long. The story follows... The rain falls in steel sheets of destruction. Joy stands on the porch watching it rip into the draught dry crops, crushing any hope she had. Holding on to the half empty bottle she fights back tears. There's no coming back from this. All the money, time, effort ... pummeled into nothing. The fields disappear under red brown water. For months she'd managed to keep her farm afloat despite the draught, the famine. And now... it's drowning. Last night she'd celebrated when the weatherman announced rain. She lifts the bottle to her lips. Tonight she'll mourn the death of her dreams.
Humpbuckle TalesHumpbuckleTales
2023-04-05

Afternoon all! My daily , a 100-word story is done! Pain, by Bruce Arbuckle, inspired by the random word prompt "agony"

A screenshot of a word counter app showing the story is precisely 100-words long. The story follows... He hobbles along the pavement as quickly as he can, but it's not fast enough for the tutting young woman behind him. He shuffles to one side, she powers past. He throws her a smile that isn't returned. She only saw him when he blocked her path. He remembers he used to walk like that, bounding from one place to another without thinking about it. His feet hurt so much now he has to plan his journeys carefully, make sure he leaves plenty of time to get there and back, preferably via a public bench or, even better, a cafe.
Humpbuckle TalesHumpbuckleTales
2023-04-04

Good afternoon! It's time for my daily , a 100-word story. Dirty Harry, by Bruce Arbuckle is inspired by the random word prompt "elephant".

A screenshot of a word counter app showing the story is precisely 100-words long. The story follows... I sit on your bed, your pinky grey toy elephant, Harry, clasped in my hands. It's grimy and smells, but today I'm not complaining. I wish I could tease you about it. Or maybe, just for once, not. Mum wanted to wash it, but I said it upset you when it was cleaned. She nodded, turning away so I wouldn't see her tears. She's calling up the stairs, now. Time to go, she says. You seem too small for that big black car. The gentle kind-faced man takes Harry, placing him carefully onto your coffin. Mum squeezes my hand.
Humpbuckle TalesHumpbuckleTales
2023-04-03

Good evening! Time for my daily , Safari, a 100-word story by Bruce Arbuckle. Inspired by the random word prompt "safari"

A screenshot of a word counter app showing the story is precisely 100-words long. The story follows... We hunt for fun. The flesh farms produce everything we need, and wild meat isn't very tasty. It's rare we bag one young and juicy enough to eat. But we're predators: we enjoy the thrill of the kill. We prefer to hunt at night, but our prey are diurnal so we head out before dusk, to catch them before they head back to their mountain lairs. We find a pack of the two legged creatures on the prairie. They are armed with their fire sticks but the weapons are no match for our exoskeleta. We overwhelm and tear them apart.
Humpbuckle TalesHumpbuckleTales
2023-04-02

Good afternoon! Time for my daily , a 100-word story by Bruce Arbuckle. Consumer is inspired by the random word prompt "consumer"

A screenshot of a word counter app showing the story is precisely 100-words long. The story follows... He consumes news like junk food: gorging himself, hour after hour, stuffing it in without having time to process it. He feels bloated but he can't stop. The information that once nourished his mind is now threatening his health. He begins to look grey and washed out like the tired old pair of underpsnts and the once white vest he always wears. His friends stop calling. He barely leaves the house, ordering food and drink in. The neighbours complain about the smell, and the rats attracted by the half eaten food left in ripped bin bags in the shared hall.
Humpbuckle TalesHumpbuckleTales
2023-04-01

Good afternoon everyone! My daily , a 100-word story, Journey, by Bruce Arbuckle. Inspired by the random word prompt "trend".

A screenshot of a word counter app showing the story is precisely 100-words long. The story follows... Gladys has noticed a trend amongst her friends to relinquish pastimes they previously enjoyed and take up unpleasant activities they used to scorn. These pursuits are no longer described as hobbies but as "journeys". She sits in the pub waiting for three friends to finish their spinning class (apparently, part of a "wellness journey"). Sipping a gin and tonic she wonders if she is missing out. Perhaps she should go on a journey. When her friends arrive, looking flushed and exhausted, they each order sparkling water and something called a Buddha Bowl. Gladys decides she is happy where she is.
Humpbuckle TalesHumpbuckleTales
2023-03-31

Good afternoon! It's time for my daily , a 100-word story by Bruce Arbuckle. The Old Miner is inspired by the random word prompt "miner"

A screenshot of a word counter app showing the story is precisely 100-words long. The story follows... The old miner sits next to me. He smiles in the near darkness, his face translucent in the fading torchlight. I try to ignore him. He's not part of my time. He's not real. "They're coming back for me," I say. The old miner smiles and nods. He's heard it all before. He probably even said it once. My shattered legs don't hurt. Is that a good sign? Pain is a part of life. Waiting to be rescued, at the bottom of the shaft, dust and chunks of crumbling rock spill onto my face. The old miner holds my hand.

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