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101 Word Short Stories

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Retribution

November 28, 2020 27 Comments

By Cathleen O'Connor

“Christ! She was a wild one,” Danny said.

“Weren’t you worried you would get caught?” the bartender asked.

“Nah. Who’d believe her? And it’s been months.”

“I don’t know. If I were you, I’d worry.”

“Fuck that. Who’s she gonna tell? Jesus, you pour them strong. Hit me again.”

“It’s not just the cops, you know. People can get all vengeful about their own.”

“She’s got a crippled drunk grandpa, and that’s it. Her brother’s away in whatsitsstan or some such place. Besides, it’d be my word against hers.”

“It’s Afghanistan.”

“What’s Afghanistan?”

“Where her brother was.”

“Was?”

The bartender smiled.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Carol says

    November 28, 2020 at 7:37 am

    Not a word wasted. Brilliant and chilling!

    Reply
    • Cathleen O'Connor says

      November 28, 2020 at 7:40 am

      Thanks, Carol!

      Reply
  2. rena says

    November 28, 2020 at 7:38 am

    fabulous!

    Reply
    • Cathleen O'Connor says

      November 28, 2020 at 7:41 am

      Thanks, Rena

      Reply
  3. Scott Brian Blanke says

    November 28, 2020 at 8:24 am

    Such slime in this world. Excellent.

    Reply
    • Cathleen O'Connor says

      November 28, 2020 at 8:30 am

      Thanks, Scott.

      Reply
  4. Shoshauna says

    November 28, 2020 at 8:39 am

    Those last three words clinched it. And you do dialogue well.

    Reply
    • Cathleen O'Connor says

      November 28, 2020 at 9:23 am

      Thank you, Shoshauna.

      Reply
  5. Derek says

    November 28, 2020 at 10:21 am

    I like the denoument of this story. It is very well and briefly told.

    Reply
    • Cathleen O'Connor says

      November 28, 2020 at 11:08 am

      Thanks, Derek.

      Reply
  6. Cassandra Hamilton says

    November 28, 2020 at 10:29 am

    I’d enjoy watching actors perform this scene. Great rhythm. I’d like to read other events in this world.

    Reply
    • Cathleen O'Connor says

      November 28, 2020 at 11:08 am

      Thank you, Cassandra – I like the idea of the performance.

      Reply
      • Laura Dowling Shea says

        December 18, 2020 at 10:01 am

        Yes! Definitely can see this on stage or screen! So good.

        Reply
  7. David Daniel says

    November 28, 2020 at 2:03 pm

    Oh, yeah. This is top shelf!

    Reply
    • Cathleen O'Connor says

      November 28, 2020 at 2:18 pm

      Thanks, David! Much appreciated.

      Reply
  8. Angie says

    November 28, 2020 at 3:06 pm

    Fantastic. You really capture the character and make the reader want him to get what is coming!

    Reply
    • Cathleen O'Connor says

      November 28, 2020 at 9:42 pm

      Thanks, Angie!

      Reply
  9. Celestine says

    November 29, 2020 at 11:16 am

    Disturbing scene. Great writing. Had to read it twice, because I didn’t want to trust my first (and certainly correct) interpretation. Always appreciate how you say so much in so little.

    Reply
    • Cathleen O'Connor says

      May 5, 2022 at 5:07 pm

      Thank you!???

      Reply
  10. Irene Perez says

    November 29, 2020 at 1:43 pm

    Wow! so much story in such few words. Awesome. Irene

    Reply
    • Cathleen O'Connor says

      May 5, 2022 at 5:07 pm

      Thanks Irene

      Reply
  11. Hailey McNamara says

    November 29, 2020 at 2:47 pm

    Love this! So much happens in 101 words!

    Reply
    • Cathleen O'Connor says

      May 5, 2022 at 5:08 pm

      Thank you!

      Reply
  12. SK Sadge says

    November 29, 2020 at 8:45 pm

    Excellent!!! Gets better each time I read it!

    Reply
    • Cathleen O'Connor says

      May 5, 2022 at 5:09 pm

      Thank you!

      Reply
  13. Deanna Salser says

    December 4, 2020 at 1:33 pm

    Nice! Really enjoyed that one.

    Reply
    • Cathleen O'Connor says

      May 5, 2022 at 5:08 pm

      Thank you!

      Reply

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