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101 Word Short Stories

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Spotlight Distortion

February 28, 2024 5 Comments

By P Nelson

The velvet curtains are bathed in the brilliance of the stage lights. I cannot tell if their hue is violet, red, or blue. In the limited lighting, they appear black.

Backstage, I feel my nostrils flare and my breath quicken with anticipation. I am giddy! Even though forty-five is a little old for my inaugural performance, I am exhilarated nonetheless.

Then I blink and see the community theatre for what it is: the foldable seats comprising an auditorium, the vinyl sheets duct-taped to the platform serving as the stage, and the flimsy, lopsided cardboard props.

The curtains are really velvet though…

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. David Higham says

    February 28, 2024 at 7:49 am

    Great last line, transforms the whole story, great stuff.

    Reply
  2. Jan says

    February 28, 2024 at 7:55 am

    I love this! Please tell us more about the 45-year-olds’ inaugural performance.

    Reply
  3. Mike McCarty says

    February 28, 2024 at 8:59 am

    Great ending! I also appreciated the rhymes that broke through (hue/blue, performance/nonetheless). Nicely crafted.

    Reply
  4. Pat R. says

    February 28, 2024 at 4:06 pm

    Nice to see a dream fulfilled! Enjoyable!

    Reply
  5. Marie Barski says

    February 29, 2024 at 4:52 am

    I really liked this story. I loved the positive spin at the end.

    Reply

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