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101 Word Short Stories

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Pickpocket

October 5, 2025 9 Comments

By Josie Gowler

“Pickpocket!” I screech.

The dirty little crook yanks his empty hand out of my handbag, smirks, and races over the bridge, dodging the hordes of selfie-takers.

The tourists around me frantically check their pockets and tug their bags closer. I straighten my Prada jacket, ready for action. Now I know exactly where to hunt.

Back in our one-room flat, I toss my stolen fancy jacket over the kitchen chair, empty my handbag on the table, and start evaluating today’s haul. I kiss my youngest brother on the head. A quick walk to our broker awaits; tonight we’ll eat a proper meal.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sharon Murphy says

    October 5, 2025 at 6:34 pm

    Nice twist. Enjoyed this.

    Reply
  2. N.E. Rule says

    October 6, 2025 at 10:21 pm

    heh heh – it’s impossible not to check! Good twist in the story!

    Reply
  3. Janet says

    October 8, 2025 at 9:23 am

    True scam artists!!

    Reply
  4. Bud says

    October 8, 2025 at 10:01 am

    Great twist at the end. Nicely done!

    Reply
  5. Lisa H. Owens says

    October 8, 2025 at 10:47 am

    Haha! I loved this.

    Reply
  6. Toni Brayer says

    October 9, 2025 at 12:09 am

    Love this. So surprising

    Reply
  7. Pamela Cartlidge says

    October 9, 2025 at 8:35 am

    Says a lot in a few words. Well done.

    Reply
  8. Giulietta Spudich says

    October 10, 2025 at 10:50 am

    I enjoyed the twist, and being wrong about the quick judgement I made about the character just because they wore a Prada jacket …

    Reply
  9. Richard says

    October 13, 2025 at 3:38 am

    Loved this. I didn’t see the end coming. So much said in so few words

    Reply

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