mashstories

This is the final episode of the Mash Stories podcast. Thank you for listening! You can keep the stories coming at http://mashstories.com or have a nostalgic listening binge at http://mashstories.com/podcast.

Thanks to all of our talented narrators, and to the authors for sending us such a feast of stories to broadcast.

"Sparked Memories", written by Elizabeth E. Toole and narrated by Elisa Berkeley, was inspired by the keywords "Halloween", "common" and "missile".

Can you mash three randomly assigned words into a story of 500 words or fewer? The Mash Challenge isn't going anywhere, so get writing!

"Carlos lies flat on his back, flailing at the sucking hole in his face. I reached for him and grabbed his webbing. As I pulled him, a pinprick of light flashed from the hill. The bullet knocked my helmet off and I fell back, dragging my friend to safety."

"The Only Sure Thing", written by John McElhinney and narrated by Joe Biedrzycki, was inspired by the keywords "vinegar", "carpenter" and "taxes".

Can you mash three randomly assigned words into a story of 500 words or fewer? Take the Mash Challenge at http://mashstories.com.

"Maryleen and Derek were among the interns undergoing training for a chance to get absorbed into the Nigerian Television Authority. Before their departure for street practical, their trainer revealed to them that the team that returned with the best news coverage gets the job."

"The Interns", written by Anthony Emecheta and narrated by Elisa Berkeley, was inspired by the keywords "congress", "art" and "jealousy".

Can you mash three randomly assigned words into a story of 500 words or fewer? Take the Mash Challenge at http://mashstories.com.

"Ninety-nine bottles of beer on the wall, ninety-nine bottles of beer, if one of those bottles should happen to fall…ninety-eight bottles of beer on the wall…. It was an art form, really. She occupied herself not with the motions themselves, but with the lyrics. The “good ol\’ boys” song seemed fitting somehow, in the dank basement corner of the Library of Congress."

"Straight to the Top", written by L.J. Kelley and narrated by Elisa Berkeley, was inspired by the keywords "art", "congress" and "jealousy".

Can you mash three randomly assigned words into a story of 500 words or fewer? Take the Mash Challenge at http://mashstories.com.

"James burst from the basement, grinning like a toddler who’s learned to speak. 'I’ve done it!' In his hand he clutched a small black box, with a large conical microphone on one end and a wire connected to a small speaker on the other."

"Playback", written by Conor Yunits and narrated by Duncan Stripp, was inspired by the keywords "mug", "converter" and "happiness". It also happens to be the winner of the tenth Mash Stories Competition!

Can you mash three randomly assigned words into a story of 500 words or fewer? Take the Mash Challenge at http://mashstories.com.

"'I make things.' My mother hated it whenever I said that. The dude next to me on the puke green bus stop bench nods."

"I Make Things", written by Gregory K. Shipman and narrated by Joe Biedrzycki, was inspired by the keywords "taxes", "vinegar" and "carpenter".

Can you mash three randomly assigned words into a story of 500 words or fewer? Take the Mash Challenge at http://mashstories.com.

"I don’t think taking the box of Halloween masks should be considered stealing. I didn’t ask for them, but they were just sitting there behind the novelty store for anyone to pick up. Besides, mom didn’t ask me to move to Texas, did she? Nobody ever asks me what I want."

"A Guest for Dinner", written by James Tate and narrated by Joe Biedrzycki, was inspired by the keywords "Halloween", "common" and "missile".

Can you mash three randomly assigned words into a story of 500 words or fewer? Take the Mash Challenge at http://mashstories.com.

"I don't know why we hide under desks. Maybe the teachers know, but they haven't explained very well."

"Why We Hide Under Desks", written by Conor Yunits and narrated by Elisa Berkeley, was inspired by the keywords "Halloween", "common" and "missile".

Can you mash three randomly assigned words into a story of 500 words or fewer? Take the Mash Challenge at http://mashstories.com.

"Forks clinked against dishes as we ate quietly. Eggs again. Always eggs. Mom said we should be happy to still have eggs every day since the stores closed. Because if the sickness didn’t get you, starvation would."

"Painted Ladies", written by Sarah Hausman and narrated by Erin Lillis, was inspired by the keywords "pizza", "selfie" and "corruption".

Can you mash three randomly assigned words into a story of 500 words or fewer? Take the Mash Challenge at http://mashstories.com.

"Fisk stared at the coffee cup in his hands. It had the logo of a bank, common in Phoenix. A thousand miles from here. It was stained and spider webbed with brown cracks."

"Saudade" written by Phil Skiff and narrated by Joe Biedrrzycki, was inspired by the keywords "Halloween", "common" and "missile".

Can you mash three randomly assigned words into a story of 500 words or fewer? Take the Mash Challenge at http://mashstories.com.