You are browsing the archive for 2010 May.

Illegal

May 31, 2010 in I

By David Stewart

It’s against the law to wear a top hat while drinking tea in public in Watson Ohio. Not only is it against the law but the fine is $400 American. And the law is actually being actively enforced. I know this because myself and three of my friends recently paid this sum to the police officers of the town of Watson while I was there on holiday.

“You can’t seriously be fining me for this?”

“Yes I can son. And I am.”

“But it’s a stupid law.”

“Then it’s an even more stupid person that breaks it. Look on this as a stupidity tax.”

“But it’s just an old law left over from years ago that nobody had bothered to repeal yet.”

“Nope. Not true son. It’s a new law. We wrote it up ten years back.”

“Why?”

“Well son it’s like this. We thought if we passed a really stupid law then really stupid college kids and tourists would think it was hilarious to come out to Watson to break it. And sure enough here you are.”

“Wait, are you telling me you do this deliberately?”

“Yup. Every town in the US has a law like this now. It brings in the tourists and raises a fortune for us in the police department. We’ve made nearly 10 grand this year alone from you numbnuts.”

“I can’t believe I’ve been scammed.”

“Why do you think every shop around here sells top hats?”

“I was wondering.”

“Well now you know. Here’s your hat back. If you’re thirsty there’s vending machine in the main street. Sells a mighty fine darjeeling.”

“Thanks.”

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Atomic

May 27, 2010 in A

By Jason Geary

“On an atomic level we never actually touch anything, or anyone. The sensation of touch is the force at which out atomic make up is repelled from the atoms that form the any given surface.” My science teacher was phoning it in. Running his lesson with no passion for the subject matter or the act of teaching. His surprise was visible when I put up my hand.

“No David you can’t go to the toilet. You’re in year 9 now. You should have gone before class.” The class sniggered and his pride at making them do so showed on his face. Smiling, he turned back to the board.

“No sir… I have a question.”

“What is it?” He said with his back to me.

“Um… It’s about never really touching.”

“Yes…”

“Doesn’t it bother you? To know this, about the touching.”

“No. It doesn’t”

“You have a family don’t you sir?”

Now he turned from the board. He was curious but annoyed at my audacity.

“Be careful David.”

“Doesn’t it upset you to know that what ever tricks your mind is playing on you to suggest otherwise you’ve never actually touched anything?

“What are you talking about?”

“I’m asking what you do with this information, you know, as an adult.”

“David, don’t start…”

“You have never really touched your wife and kids.  All those times you think you you’ve caressed them, held their hands, kissed their lips, it’s just a measure how much you are repelled by them. Doesn’t knowing this bother you? ”

“Don’t be ridiculous David. I don’t operate on an atomic level. I’m not conscious of it…”

“But you just told us about it. You are so conscious of it. You teach it.”

“Get out, go see Mr. Richardson. Now.”

“But sir… What did I do? I’m just asking a question.”

He sighed a deep sigh. “Go to Mr. Richardson and I’ll speak to you after class.”

“But…”

“GO!”

I gathered my things and to my surprise the class was silent as I exited the room.  My teacher stood looking at the floor. I pulled the door handle, knowing that though it appears I am touching it, I never will.

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Plan

May 26, 2010 in P

By David Stewart

I thought we’d managed to pull off the perfect April Fools prank. We stole Danny’s prized VW Beetle, drove to his workplace, broke in and then dismantled the car and got it in the back door. It took a while but we got all the parts into his office and pushed all the furniture back to make a beetle-sized space. Three hours later we’d reassembled the car and were cleaning up when Carol rang.
“Hey Carol, we’re just finishing up now. Tomorrow he’s going to find his car gone and when he gets into work it’s going to be parked right here in his office! Where are you?”
“Danny’s office. Where the hell are you?”
“We’re in Danny’s office.”
“No you’re not. Trust me I’ve visited Danny in his office loads of times. I’m looking in the window and it’s empty.”
“Then where the hell are we?”
“I’ve got no idea.”
“We’re in Clarkson Accounting.”
“It’s Clarkdale Accounting. He works for Clarkdale accounting.”
“Shit.”
“Are you telling me you dismantled the Yellow Peril and put it back together in the wrong place?”
“Umm… yeah I think so.”
“You’ve just brought a stolen car into a complete stranger’s office!”
“Carol… why is it called the Yellow Peril?”
“Because it’s yellow and breaks down a lot.”
“This car is blue.”

There was a long pause. Rob was trying to get my attention.

“Danny’s car is definitely yellow.” Carol sounded very sure.
“This car is definitely blue.”
“So you’ve dismantled a stranger’s car and assembled it in another stranger’s office?”

Rob was really eager to get my attention now.
“What is it?” I asked.
“Well you know how we assembled the back first and then rolled it back so we had room to put the front on?”
“Yeah!”
“We’ve rolled it against the door which opens inwards. We’re kind of trapped.”
“Can’t we dismantle it again?”
“We need to get to the back and we can’t because it’s up against the door and there’s no room to roll it forward. And there’s no other way out.”
“Carol…slight problem. We seem to have broken into a stranger’s office and trapped ourselves inside with a car we stole.”
“You’re an idiot.”
“This is a disaster. There is no way this could possibly get any worse. Hey careful with that pole, if you hit one of those sprinklers and it goes off we’re-    ….fuck.”

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Subterfuge

May 25, 2010 in S

By David Stewart

“Right everyone we’ll make a start. It’s part of our new School Action Plan to start all staff meetings on time and so we’ll begin and latecomers will just have to read the minutes. First item on the agenda is Tim Simpkins the new boy who started this week in Mrs Wattle’s grade 2/3 composite class. Now I know there are those of you who believe that Tim is too old for the class he’s been placed in but I would like to remind you that he does suffer from a physical disability which makes him look older than he is. And yes I’ve checked his condition does cause the child to grow to a larger than conventional size so the fact that he’s nearly six foot is not- …look Roger I’ve told you before Tim Simpkins is not a full grown man. He’s a child with a disability- …I’m sure because I asked him if he was really a man and he cried. I don’t know about you but I don’t enjoy making young boys cry, even if they are larger than me. No I don’t want to see the newspaper I’m much more interested in moving on to the next item on the agenda. We’ve got a busy schedule…. Yes, you’re right that does look like him. In fact that’s Tim Simpkins without a doubt. What on earth is he doing in The Age? “New Minister for Education promises to see schools first hand.” Are you suggesting the Minister for Education has enrolled his disabled son at our school to- …no. No! No that can’t be right! Although it would explain why he asked to see our curriculum documentation, I remember thinking that was an odd request for an 8 year old.  Are you seriously suggesting that we’ve had the Federal Minister for Education masquerading as a small child in Mrs Wattle’s class? Alright I promise to look into this matter first thing tomorrow morning. I’ll make it my top priority. We’ll move onto item two- apparently there’s a student in the junior classes who is parking his lexus in the staff car park. I’ll deal with that tomorrow as well. Item three- apparently we’re going to have a very important visitor next week- a councillor from the local mayor’s office. …for some reason I’m less excited by that now than I was this morning.”

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Vindication

May 24, 2010 in V

By David Stewart

Technically yes, you’re correct I did fare evade. There were two whole stops when I was on the tram without a ticket. You obviously noticed me standing by the machine attempting to purchase one but you don’t care about that. The fact that I searched for change so I could purchase a ticket and then removed myself from the vehicle as soon as I realised I didn’t have anything smaller than a large note isn’t relevant  is it? My attempts to be a good citizen mean nothing to either of you – as far as your concerned you’ve caught a fare evader so it’s a job well done. Even though that fare evader is an honest, law-abiding member of the community who made a brief mistake. Well done. You must be two very proud ticket inspectors. Now as I understand the law I have to provide you with my name and address. As I understand it you’re also capable of alerting the authorities, they’re the ones in real uniforms who catch real criminals, should I try and affect an escape. I’m also led to believe that you have no authority to use force on me in any way. While you may feel that the advantage is in your favour I know the opposite to be true. You see I’m a retired gentlemen and my time is essentially my own.  I was catching the tram to watch a cricket match at the local club so I’ve packed food and drink to last the day and have no concrete plans until much later this evening. I am however more than happy to spend the rest of the morning and the afternoon right here on this quite comfy bench regaling the two of you with stories about my life and travels. …Yes I will tell you my name I think that’s an excellent place to start. It’s Gerald. …No I won’t divulge my surname just yet because I wish to tell you all about  my uncle Gerald after whom I was named. During this account I will weave several subtle clues which you may utilise to ascertain the street number of my house. Not the flat number I think I’ll reveal that to you much later after I’ve told you all about my Grandchildren. Just wait while I get my thermos out.

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Coronary

May 24, 2010 in C

By Anita Clements

Her extremities drain of blood and she feels weak. At this moment, her blood is sucked violently into her Right Atrium, which contracts forcing the blood into her Right Ventricle where it waits for an uncomfortable period of time. Contemplating its master’s next move. She shifts in her chair. She mustn’t distract him. This weekly ritual sustains her. Undisturbed, he points his laser at the diagram on the screen. She sighs in relief.

He traces the flow of blood through the heart. His voice trembles with excitement.

Instead of plastic models, he uses the organs of deceased humans. Slicing his scalpel through each section and projecting the image onto the screen.

“Dr Death” the students call him.

“Sick and twisted Dr Death!” they mock.

Sweat runs from the side of his neck and pools in the crevice above his clavicle. It glistens in the dark of the lecture theatre. She tilts her head, narrows her eyes and imagines scooping the salty liquid up with her tongue. She gazes at his crotch.

Snapping her quickly from her fantasy, the blood escapes her Right Ventricle and speeds into the Pulmonary Artery, which obediently dilates. In a peristaltic motion, it spurts the blood into her lungs causing her to take a sharp breath in. It startles her. Silence. She looks at the screen. The red laser light disappears. The lecture theatre stills. All eyes are on her. He grabs the head of the lamp and points it into the audience, scanning, trying to find the source of the noise. She freezes. The light passes her twice, finally stopping on her face. Their eyes locks. She gasps, this time not caring what noise she makes. Smiling, he gestures her onto the stage.

The blood leaves her lungs and enters her Left Atrium. She rises to walk, but cannot. Her legs paralysed. The blood forces its way through the Mitral Valve and pools in her Left Ventricle, trickling slowly into her Aorta but going no further….

Around her chaos, screams. Bodies flee. Their eyes remain fixed. Her insides melt like hot chocolate. She feels wetness pooling around her crotch and calmly looks down to see her blouse open, bra undone. A careful incision along the length of her Sternum reveals a gaping hole where her heart once lay. Blood pours freely out. She lifts her head. Again he gestures for her to join him, as he caresses in his hand, her still beating heart.

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Supermarket

May 24, 2010 in S

By Brent Caldwell

Collingwood around Safeway’s such a melting pot, bad buskers, bus stop tirades and sausage sizzles outside the TAB. I like it but occasionally there’s real poetry.

A few weeks ago I saw this drunk with blood on his head stagger away from a car groaning & bent over like he’d had his leg run over then another drunk staggers over, kicks him in the head, blood spraying and he looks like he’s ready to deliver the coup de gras. Passersby are dumbfounded. One guy yells at him and he staggers off. I cross the road to check out the guy on the ground. Someone must’ve called because an ambo quickly rolled up.

In the checkout today, the guy behind me said goodbye to his 40ish friend who went out the entrance. Then he asked me whether he could queue jump me – he only had one of those cling-wrap cakes with loads of plastic cream. The checkout girl scanned his cake and he said as he gave her $10 that he also wanted cigarettes. She asked whether she could check his bag and found a 6-pack. He said he’d just paid for that. He was stringy, also maybe 40.

Then she asked if she could check the other pocket, he unzipped and she pulled out a hot chicken. I was annoyed I’d let him in front but caution ruled. She asked him to produce a receipt but he assured her he’d bought it an hour ago. By this time a security guard was standing by who asked him whether he still wanted to pay for the chicken. He suggested the guard could maybe give it to him for half price. He must have figured he had a better chance with the guard than the girl. The guard smiled. Then the guy asked for his cigarettes so the girl asked him what brand and he said Double Happiness. The guard went and asked the other guard approaching whether they had any Double Happiness and he said no. By this time, the guy left with his bag and his beer, minus the chicken and his change. An expensive plastic cake for $10. I opened my bag for the girl so she checked it out and told me to have a nice weekend. I liked that.

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Catalyst

May 21, 2010 in C

By Jason Geary

February 27th 1933. Berlin.  The Reichstag is burning.

Hitler watches with Goebbels by his side, speechless. They stand an island of calm amidst the chaos about them. Fire crews are dragging hoses and ladders past them with ignorance to the chain of events that is about to be set in motion.

Goring completes the trio. He is surprised by the calm of the others. “This is a Communist outrage! One of the culprits has been arrested. He was found inside, cowering from the flames.”

Hitler steeled his look. “This is a sign from heaven.”

With that the dome of the Reichstag collapsed.

Unrequited

May 21, 2010 in U

By David Myers


She flies through the air,

A spirit both nimble and free,

Dancing and playing,

for all to see,

He watched from the ground,

For she had ensnared his eye,

To her beauty, her grace, her charm,

Oh how he wished he could fly,

To dance with her,

Two hearts entwined,

To leave this early confinement,

Far, far behind,

He sighs wistfully,

as he stared into heaven,

For dreams, such as these,

Surely a man can be forgiven.

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Indicator

May 20, 2010 in I

By Jason Geary

It is after our third date and I’m sitting in my car just having said goodbye to the most wonderful woman I’ve ever met. Spending time with her is effortless. I’m doing everything I can to stop myself falling head over heels for her to soon. It’s hopeless, no, I’m hopeless. I can’t help reading everything I discover as a sign, sign that we were meant to be together.

We like the same bands but disagree about their best albums.

She dislikes Utes and the men that drive them.

Although she’s right handed she holds her knife in her left hand. “It’s more comfortable.” she says.

Her favorite Muppet is Beaker because she “… Just wants to make him better.”

Her smile makes me catch my breath.

I’m on the edge of falling for this girl. Teetering precariously. It’s ridiculous, no, I’m ridiculous. Why must everything be a sign?

I notice it’s her car in front of me waiting to turn right. I look to her mirror and see her looking back at me. As our eyes meet, I see them change shape and I know she’s smiling. She looks to the traffic light in front of us and I look to the rear of her car. Her indicator is flashing a wonderful array of reflected orange light back at me. Then I realize that our indicators are in perfect sync.

Perfect sync.

Not just for a moment as the patterns align, but are blinking together in the same pedestrian rhythm. They pulse on, off, on, off as one for twenty seconds.

In perfect sync.

The makes and models of our cars are completely different. They have no right to be so together. This is a sign.

I look back to her mirror and find her looking back at me still smiling, as always it makes me catch my breath. The light in front of her turns green. She waves and to my surprise I blow her a kiss.

She mimes catching it and places her hand to her face. Then drives off into the night.

Damn, I just fell.

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Skin

May 19, 2010 in S

By Jason Geary

It is called a Y incision. You insert the scalpel at the top of the collar-bone and draw it with an even curve to the exact same position on the opposite collar-bone. Simple.

As his skin parts the deep cut seeps small beads of blood like a ruby necklace.  He murmurs but the drugs have rendered him mute. He is unable to move any muscle, much less scream. His eyes tell me he’s feeling it. Good.

The procedure continues as I insert the scalpel at the lowest point of the previous incision. I press the tip in firmly and draw a line from neck to pelvis, splitting his skin down the middle. It is not as horrid as you think. No innards come spilling to the floor, only blood, more beading blood.

Now I have the perfect beginning. The Y incision. From this point skinning is a progression of careful long swipes severing meat from bone.

I lift a corner of skin made by the intersection of incisions and begin to separate. I notice his eyes roll back into his head. He’s gone now. Good for him, it is only going to get worse.

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Between

May 18, 2010 in B

By Jason Geary

What I love about us is the space in between.

Sometimes it is electrified.

Sometimes it is a vacuum.

Sometimes it is violent.

Sometimes it is warm.

Sometimes it is vast.

Sometimes it is comfortable.

It is constantly in flux.

The result of the two of us at a given point in space and time.

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Awkward

May 18, 2010 in A

By David Stewart

And would you welcome our next contestant from Melton in Victoria it’s Mr Barry Rogers! (Applause) Welcome Barry.

Thanks Ted.

Now Barry you’ve decided to answer questions about John Tyler the 10th President of the United States of America.

No… No that’s not correct.

It isn’t?

No my subject is John Tyler, lead guitarist and songwriter from seminal heavy metal prog rockers Angel Scream.

Ah… that’s a pity because the questions we’ve got here all relate to the President. Do you know anything about President John Tyler?

I didn’t even know there was one.

Hang on I’m just getting a message from the producer in my earpiece. Okay…. okay right. Sorry Barry but it’s live TV and we can’t throw to a commercial yet so your time starts… now! On what date was Tyler’s Presidential inauguration?

I don’t know!

April 4th 1841. Who did Tyler send to China to negotiate the terms of the Treaty of Wanghia?

I don’t know!

Caleb Cushing. Tyler’s father was the Governor of which state?

New York?

Virginia. The vetoing of what kind of bill in June 1842 led to the first attempt to impeach a President in American legal history?

Please make this stop.

A bank bill. The USS Princeton accident claimed the lives of two of Tyler’s ministers. One was Thomas Gilmer, who was the other?

This is the most humiliating experience of my life.

Abel Upsher. Who did Tyler throw his support behind after he pulled out of the 1944 Presidential race?

I don’t know and I DON’T CARE!

James Polk. The lead guitarist from which rock band shares his name with President Tyler?

I don’t know.

Angel Scream. On what date did Tyler die?

Wait I knew that! That’s not fair I knew Angel Scream I just stopped paying attention!

January 18 1962. And there’s the buzzer. So Barry at the end of your time you scored no points on John Tyler the President of the United States. Which means you’re the equal leader along with Carol who answered no questions about Jim Morrison the British Member for Parliament and Brian who scored no points on questions about John Lennon, the British mariner. John us after the break when Arthur Crampton from Newcastle will be answering questions about The Rolling Stones, a group of amateur geology enthusiasts from New Zealand.

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Copyright

May 17, 2010 in C

By David Stewart


Knock Knock.

Yes, can I help you?

Mr Freemont?

Yes that’s correct.

The same Mr Freemont who returned to life after being technically dead for three days?

That’s me. I’m a genuine medical miracle apparently.

You’re also in breach of copyright.

Excuse me?

Mr Freemont I represent Universal studios who recently purchased exclusive rights to the story of Jesus Christ and your “Medical miracle” as you term it an act of plagarism.

I don’t understand.

A character in an upcoming film Jesus of Nazareth returns to life after a period of three days, you’re own return to life is-

Yes but Jesus was crucified on a cross. I fell down some stairs.

The manner of the death isn’t the subject of this law suit it’s the subsequent resurrection that breaches-

Hang on,  my resurrection wasn’t my idea it was a miracle that-

I have to stop you there Mr Freemont as the words “Resurrection” and “Miracle” are now the property of Universal pictures as are “disciple” “messiah” and “leprosy.”

But I’m nothing like Jesus.

According to our research your father was a carpenter, you own a pair of sandals and last week your face appeared in a tortilla in mexico.

I thought that was Elvis.

It depends on the angle of the lighting.

This is absurd. Can you see it your christian hearts to forgive me?

I don’t do forgiveness Mr Freemont I’m a laywer and an atheist. I just serve notice.

God this is awful.

Don’t say God Mr Freemont, that character is also a registered trademark of Universal Studios.

Right. Sorry.

Here is your summons to appear in court. Until your appointed court date I must warn you not to return to life again and to refrain from restoring sight, walking on water or feeding large groups of people with small amounts of food.

But I work in catering.

Not anymore.

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Hurdle

May 17, 2010 in H

By Rik Brown

He was born to run the 400 metre hurdles.

His muscles were perfectly conditioned to provide him with explosive sprinting capabilities and a powerful leap.

His cardio-vascular system was immaculately tuned to enable 400 metres of lightning fast running and jumping.

Even his face was aerodynamically shaped to slice through the air like a hot knife through butter.

He was essentially the ultimate 400 metre hurdles machine.

Unfortunately he had never had cause to run the 400 metre hurdles. He’d never really been interested in athletics, preferring instead to focus on team sports. He had played cricket when he was younger, showing only average skill as a batsmen and slightly above average skill as a bowler of medium pace. As he matured he left cricket behind to focus on his music career. He kept fit by swimming laps and going to the gym. He played basketball on Wednesday nights in a social league. Last season his team finished sixth.

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Pointless

May 13, 2010 in P

By David Stewart


Hello my name’s Darren James and I wrote and directed this movie.

Hi. I’m Rob Hendricks and I play the part of Jim …and this is the first one of these I’ve ever done.

Really? This is your first DVD commentary?

Yeah.  I was a bit surprised to be asked actually.

You didn’t think you were the commentary type?

No I just didn’t think they did commentaries for OH&S Videos.

A lot of people don’t but I always do. So Rob tell me what’s going through your mind right now?

Well I’m wondering what sort of person would watch an audio commentary for a video called “Ergonomics at your workstation.”

No in this scene, as an actor. What was going through your head when we were filming this?

Oh sorry. Um… I was thinking: I’m walking to the desk… hope I don’t trip over.

It’s a shame you didn’t, we could have used that for the outtakes featurette which is mainly shots of you doing the stretches slightly wrong.

I’m surprised you didn’t put in those establishing shots of me entering the office.

They’re in the deleted scenes. And there’s the option to watch the 22 minute Director’s cut with the extra footage back in. I think it helps establish your character. So tell us, as an actor how do you prepare for a role like this?

Well I… turn up and listen to the director and try to be a guy sitting at a computer.

But there’s a deeper layer than that isn’t there? I don’t want to cover this in too much detail because I’m sure you’ll discuss it in the Making-of featurette which we’re shooting this afternoon.

So this commentary is more about the technical stuff?

No that’s the commentary I do with the editor.

Right. That chair was comfy.

It looks good too. It looks like an office chair.

Well it is.

The whole set looks like a real office. It’s very authentic.

It is a real office.

I spent hours making sure it looked perfect.

So you took a real office and worked on it to make it look like a real office?

I spent a full hour just working out the best place to put that cup full of pencils.

The one I knocked over?

Yes.

And put back on the other side so I wouldn’t knock it again?

Yes. That’s the one…

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Excuse

May 12, 2010 in E

By David Stewart

“I have a theory about women. I’ve had it all my life and going out with you has confirmed it as truth in my mind. There are two types of women in the world: Chicken Nuggets and Peanut M&M’s. All women are delicious, like nuggets dripping in sauce or chocolaty Peanut M&Ms.  But Chicken Nuggets aren’t women you want to go out with. Chicken nuggets are all the wost parts of the chicken. They’re the gristle, offcuts, foreheads, buttocks and the bits that even the chicken was happy to get rid off. They take these skanky, raw scraps and they mush them together into a nugget shape that they coat in preservatives and artificial flavours. Then they freeze it and ship it to stores where sad, pimply teenagers who pick their nose drop them and sneeze on them and then fry them in rancid fat.  The end result might be delicious but if you think about what they really are they make you sick.

Peanut M&Ms are different. They take a yummy peanut that you could happily eat right there in the factory and then they coat it in chocolate. Pure liquid yumminess that turns a humble nut into something yummier. But then to make it even better they coat it in any one of a rainbow of delicious colour. I still don’t understand how they make it a perfect pellet of delight. If it was on a conveyor belt there would be a flat bit where it sat on a flat surface. But if you examine one it’s flawless. The only conclusion I can come to is that each one is hand-crafted by trained artisans who apply the sugary coating with special brushes making sure there isn’t a blemish on the delicious surface.

If you think about the Chicken Nugget women you realise the deliciousness isn’t worth the horribleness. But the more I think about M&M women the more you appreciate how special and wonderful you are. So that packet you found in my pocket isn’t there because I’ve eaten some M&M’s. I would never do that because I’m following that diet you set out for me. I just carry an empty packet with me to remind me that I’m lucky enough to snag an M&M woman. That packet is really a photo of your soul.”

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Pets

May 10, 2010 in P

By David Stewart

Dear Martha,

I must ask you kindly not to give me any more pets in future. I understand you’re a big-hearted person and while it is thoughtful to give pets with disabilities to a sight-impaired person such as myself my own daily care is quite an effort without having to look after a blind dog as well. Not that I don’t love Pickles. He’s very affectionate. When he hears me sit in the recliner he makes his way over to my side and jumps straight into my lap. Although being blind he can’t check to see whether my lap is actually empty at the time. This week alone he’s jumped straight into my knitting, a tape recorder and a bowl of soup. Whiskers the cat is also a delight although his blindness does add an element of adventure to our lives. I often hear him and Pickles fighting. At first I assumed they didn’t get on but now I realise they just bump into each other a lot. Sadly my own vision impairment prevents me from keeping an accurate tally of the number of cats in the house at any given time. Four times yesterday I let Whiskers inside when he was mewing at the door and each time wondered how he’d got out again. It was only when I felt him brush against both my calves at once that I realised I’ve been providing a haven for a number of neighbourhood felines. One of them has taken to biting the pages of my braille novel which serves to amend the text substantially.  I assume Arthur the deaf and dumb budgie is a continual delight but since I can’t hear him and he can’t hear me I’ve got no way of telling. The latest addition to my menagerie will fit in nicely although I’m confused as to the difference between a dyslexic fish and a normal one. Do fish normally read quite well? Either way I thank you for the thought but must ask again that you desist from further animal presents in future. Now if you’ll excuse me I must go because it sounds like the agoraphobic cow is having a freak out in the back yard again and I need to put a bucket on his head, a challenging task even for the fully-sighted.

Yours faithfully, Enid.

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Munch

May 10, 2010 in M

By Sean Conway

For some years I had an artist’s studio in a typical industrial complex – lots of concrete and steel, no lawn, a few trees and hardly an ideal habitat for munchers of dead or decaying plant matter. Yet, each winter the local millipedes decided to invade the once peaceful solitude of my studio.

Obviously art lovers, and ignoring the damp delights of gardens elsewhere, every night hundreds of them would sneakily creep under my door to see what I was up to. Everywhere I looked there they were…crawling over everything in sight! Scooping them up and then depositing them outside in a very deep drain, didn’t change a thing. Next night, same story – hundreds forcibly evicted!

What was amusing were the one’s left behind, those that I missed, and found asleep the next day on my return. Dozens of paintings stacked up against, or hanging high on walls seemed to be a favourite resting place. Nothing was damp as their want, could it be the bright colours they liked?

It didn’t seem to matter what the style, there they were, coming in their hordes to ‘appreciate’ what I had produced.(Pity they didn’t bring loads of cash with them).

One day I noticed that strange markings had appeared on a painting that I had been working on, but only on certain darker browns used – they were eating my painting! Even if I do say so myself it was a beautifully vibrant piece, painted to ambient, soothing music – a symphony of bright colour, but ‘good enough to eat’?

What on earth was going on? A perplexing mystery that baffled me for days… until I discovered that some of the paint used was made in China – and inherent vegetable dyes were the likely culprit.

From then on, each night I took the offending millipedes further away, to a lovely new neighbourhood, where they could munch away to their heart’s delight. Since then they have stayed away in droves – the word must have got around.

The painting in question was subsequently titled “Paula and Alec’s Symphony”… (and the ‘ March of the Millipedes’ ). Years later it still remains a favourite of mine.

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Promenade

May 10, 2010 in P

By Naomi Byrne-Soper

‘Ah-hrm.’

Erm.

<Cough>

Well.

‘I’m afraid our situation has deteriorated.’

‘Mind your step, Guv.’

‘Thank you, Thomas. Now ladies and gentlemen, it’s nothing to be alarmed about but… Mrs Winchester, if you could kindly take a step back behind the rope. Mrs Winchester? Mrs Winchester, really, this is not to be trifled with. Mrs Winchester!’

<Pantomime gasp from the crowd>

‘Bollocks. Lost another one, Guv.’

‘Thank you, Thomas. Now ladies and gentlemen, I really must emphasise the seriousness of our situation and how vitally important it is that you attend to ship’s orders at this time.’

‘Captain, the prow…’

‘What’s happened?’                        ‘I can’t see!’

‘Where’s Mrs Winchester’?

‘Ladies and gentlemen, please remain calm, allow me to…’

‘Our Calliope en’t got a prow no more!’

‘Thomas!’

<Pouts>

<Glares>

‘I’m afraid it’s true ladies and gentlemen. It seems the edge of the world is not the horizon after all, but a point in the Pacific Ocean – here – where our world simply ceases to exist. As did Calliope’s prow…So too Mrs Winchester…And the three other men we lost last night.’

<Pauses for dramatic effect>

<Suitably shocked collective gasp>

<Discreet smile>

<The Lady Olivia raises an eyebrow>

<The captain is all (mock) innocence>

<Olivia rolls her eyes and shakes her head>

<The captain gets a hot rush to the belly>

‘<Cough> Right.

So.

Yes.

Until further notice, all outdoor activity will be confined to the starboard promenade. Meals will be taken in the salon and all nighttime constitutionals will be suspended. You will stay in your cabins if not otherwise engaged, and above all else, you will stay. Behind. The rope. That is all.’

‘But Captain!’                        ‘How shocking!’

‘Disgraceful!’

‘This never would have happened with a strong leader.’

‘Yes! Someone illustrious!’

‘With medals!’                        ‘And fob watch!’

‘Yes. It’s the Captain’s fault all right.’

‘Yes, that’s right, blame the Captain. Nothing so productive as a good scapegoating…’

<The lady takes pity> ‘OH MY!’ <Swoons loudly and publicly>

‘Lady Olivia!’

‘Good heavens!’                        ‘She’s fainted clean away!’

‘What to do?’

‘A chair! A chair for the lady!’

<The Captain is by her side>

‘My lady, are you well? Are you hurt?’

<Ghosting smile> ‘Well, well, my Captain. You and I. At the ends of the Earth. Who would have thought it?’<Her eyes snap open> ‘Walk with me.’

‘I beg your pardon, my Lady?’

<Picks herself up, dusts herself down> ‘I rather fancy taking a turn about the deck. Will you join me?’

‘My Lady, I’m not sure I…’

‘Oh, do give it up, Gerald, and take my hand.’

<Clasp>

<Clasp>

‘We both know there’s something better out there for us.’

<Long pause>

‘We do.’

‘Then let’s find it.’

<Kisses him on the cheek>

<Gives a nervous smile>

<Is a little bit sultry>

<Feels a little bit alive>

<Both step off the edge of the world>

©Naomi Byrne-Soper

Duty

May 7, 2010 in D

By David Stewart

“What’s that? What’s that in the corner of my eye? It moves whenever I turn to see it. Hang on… it’s my tail! It’s my tail! I could bite it! Hooray! Come here tail. Wheeee chase the tail chase the tail chase the tail. Ooh I’m getting dizzy now. I’ll stop and have a scratch. Oooh hang on. What’s that I smell. Cat! I smell cat. Must chase cat! Run across the park. Whheee I love the way my ears flap. I’m sure I can run faster than this though, it’s like something is holding me back. Nevermind run fast! Through the hedge. Across the playground. This is great I love… whatever it is I’m doing. I think I was chasing something but I can’t remember what but it’s okay because I’m having a great run. Now I’ll run up to those kids and bark at them. That’s a great game which I’m sure they’ll understand the rules of straight away. See I run up and bark and you- oh they’ve gone. Nevermind there’s a pond! A pond a genuine pond with water and everything. Must run to the pond. Gee running is hard all of sudden, much harder than usual. Nevermind splash! Whahay! Fantastic look at all this water I can bark at. I love a good splash in water… wait a minute I seem to have some sort of lead attached to my collar. Hang on there’s some guy holding the lead. What’s going on there… oh it’s coming back to me now. All that Guide dog training I did. Oh yeah I remember now. That whole seeing-eye dog and the blindness and… ponds were definitely a no no. Oops. Right. Okay I’m a guide dog and that’s okay. I will lead the master back to the car park slowly and carefully and keep an eye out for traffic and… wait what’s that? What’s that in the corner of my eye? It moves whenever I turn to see it… It’s my Tail!”

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Swing

May 6, 2010 in S

By Jason Geary

It was surprisingly effortless. I saw him coming, he telegraphed his movement with a slight rock backward before he punched. So I focused on his temple and threw out my fist.  Hard.

Now James Grossman lies in a puddle of his own drool on the courtyard floor. My girlfriend is yelling at me. I can’t hear what because my pulse is beating loud in my ears.

A crowd is gathering.  Word has spread like summertime wild fire, “Simon Mustowe just knocked out James Grossman.”  Hell, I’m hearing it for the first time too.

It sounds impossible. The body slumped at my feet proves otherwise.

I look up and people are looking at me, not past me as usual. They are looking at me as if I am some sort of hero, a mythic underdog who has slain a giant. I allow myself a slight smile at the thought of this victory.

Suddenly I’m grabbed by the shirt scruff, lifted to my toes and dragged from the scene. I hear the voice of my captor Principle Tull, “He had it coming. Surprised it was you that dropped him. I never thought you had the balls. Still, that’s two weeks expulsion Mustowe, effective immediately”

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Discovery

May 5, 2010 in D

By David Stewart

Ring Ring, Ring Ring.

“Hello Darling It’s me, it’s Walter… I’m great. I’m amazing in fact. We’ve just made the most amazing discovery. Antarctica is teeming with wildlife! It’s incredible. We’ve been down here on this base for 5 months now and I always thought there wasn’t much here but apparently it’s just full of animals. Barry and Reg made the discovery earlier today. They were out searching for rock samples and they realised they were being watched by thousands of penguins. The reason they didn’t notice them the first time is because they’re albino penguins. Apparently there are millions of totally white penguins kicking around this place but we’ve never noticed because they keep their eyes closed. But Barry said he fell over and accidentally made a noise like a fish and a thousand pairs of pink eyes opened at once. It freaked them out apparently. Reg thinks the penguins conceal themselves when they have their eyes open by nestling underneath polar bears and pretending to be their scrotums. The two round pink eyes look just like Polar bear testicles.  But that’s not the most exciting part. There are other albino animals here as well. There are marmosets, sloths, okapi and even a variety of giraffe! All of them pure white and invisible when they keep their eyes closed. Reg spotted the giraffe first and said it explains why he once saw a pair of polar bear testicles hovering 12 feet in the air. It was actually the eyes of… yes I know it doesn’t sound plausible but Reg and Barry said… because he made a noise like a fish… I don’t know I didn’t ask him that, just a general fishy noise. …No I haven’t seen them myself but… of course there are polar bears in Antarctica, I haven’t  actually seen any but… Well it’s April. April the 1st.  …what are you saying? Nooo. No they wouldn’t do that, I’ve filed an official report and everything… oh crap.”

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