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101 Word Short Stories

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Cold Caller

May 8, 2025 10 Comments

By Joel Bryant

The homeowner appeared cross, but Mark was on a roll and feeling lucky.

“Good morning?” he said with rehearsed enthusiasm.

An angry scowl answered him.

“I’ll be brief: I noticed your old double glazing. I can offer a no-obligation quote for replacements.”

Unexpectedly, the lady seemed interested and beckoned him inside. Elated, Mark sensed another commission.

“Terrible timing, I was trying to work,” the woman replied, calmly pointing a silenced pistol at Mark’s forehead and squeezing the trigger.

She dragged the cold caller’s body into the kitchen to join the other corpse. Professional pride meant she never left a witness alive.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Stella says

    May 8, 2025 at 8:22 am

    Excellent! I’d like to know more about ‘the lady’

    Reply
  2. Joel bryant says

    May 8, 2025 at 9:41 am

    Thank you Stella, may have to expand the story at some point then 🙂

    Reply
  3. Barry O'Farrell says

    May 8, 2025 at 11:25 pm

    What a deliciously wicked piece.
    Well done.

    Reply
    • Joel Bryant says

      May 9, 2025 at 3:19 am

      Cheers Barry, much appreciated.

      Reply
  4. Dave Barlow says

    May 9, 2025 at 5:48 am

    Wicked – and wonderful! Loved it.

    Reply
    • Joel bryant says

      May 9, 2025 at 6:36 am

      You are too kind Dave, thank you.

      Reply
  5. PK says

    May 14, 2025 at 11:15 am

    Cheeky, chilling, and concise. 101 words well deployed.

    Reply
    • Joel bryant says

      May 15, 2025 at 7:42 am

      Thank you PK.

      Reply
  6. Sharon Murphy says

    May 16, 2025 at 10:15 am

    Nice twist – Not quite the commission he had hoped for!

    Reply
    • Joel Bryant says

      May 30, 2025 at 2:49 am

      Thank you Sharon.

      Reply

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