Welcome back, flash-fictioneers, to your hebdomadal fix of Microcosms. What delights await you?
In my teenage years, my reading matter was almost exclusively sci-fi. I usually have very poor retention of details of books, films, etc., but one thing that has stayed with me from “Mindswap” by Robert Sheckley was the theory that went something like “If you stay in one place long enough, you’ll see everyone you’ve ever known.” (Variations on this are also available.)
Your task this week, should you wish to accept it, is to knock out a dazzling, breath-taking story from this prompt within 24 hours… Clock’s ticking!
As usual, our contest will begin with three things: character, setting and genre.
We spun, and our three elements are character: Living Statue, setting: Pedestrian Area, and genre: Romance.
Write a story using those OR feel free to click on the “Spin!” button, and the slot machine will come up with a new set – you can keep clicking until you have a set of elements that inspire you. Be sure to include which three elements you’re using.
- Pensioner
- Beggar
- Street Vendor
- CCTV Controller
- Living Statue
- Lifeguard
- Park Bench
- Pavement/Sidewalk
- News-stand
- Shopping Mall
- Pedestrian Area
- Beach
- Memoir
- Thriller
- Romance
- Crime
- Science Fiction
- Parody
- Horror
- Comedy
- Allegory
Judging this week is Microcosms 35 Judge’s Pick, Steve Lodge.
All submissions should be a maximum of 300 words in length. You have until midnight, New York time to submit. (If you are new to Microcosms, check out the full submission guidelines.)
All being well, results will be posted on Monday.
If you like, you may use this photo to inspire you – purely optional.

(Credit: Warren Allott)
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