"'Assume the position, 084629, or force will be administered,' a human voice echoed through the spartan cell. The prisoner snarled as she complied. She hated following orders, but that didn’t stop her hands from reaching for the metal bar near the entrance, completing the circuit with the steel beneath her feet."

"Sibling Rivalry", written by Fred Yost and narrated by Elisa Berkeley, was inspired by the keywords "congress", "art" and "jealousy". 

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

Sibling Rivalry by Fred Yost

“'Hey, Jules, you think this is a bullet hole, man?' I asked, wiggling a finger through a tear in a blue plaid zoot jacket."

"Chippy Chippy Dank Dank", written by Bea Idness and narrated by Joe Biedrzycki, was inspired by the keywords "ankle", "criminal" and "fashion". 

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

Chippy Chippy Dank Dank by Bea Idness

"Adams tried to look reassuring as he attached electrodes to the boy’s head. The boy’s parents winced.
'Competition is so fierce these days,' said the father. 'We wouldn’t consider doing this otherwise.'"

"Inspiration Inc.", written by Phill Presley and narrated by Duncan Stripp, was inspired by the keywords, "congress", "art" and "jealousy". 

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

Inspiration, Inc. by Phill Presley

"What would happen if I was somebody else? Would I still struggle with my feelings, swathed in guilt, or would there be no shame? Maybe those thoughts wouldn’t even exist at all."

"What if?", written by Suzanne Burrows and narrated by Lorraine Ansell, was inspired by the keywords "Halloween", "common" and "missile". 

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

What If? by Suzanne Burrows

"Duncan’s eyes fixed on the red folder sitting on the table. Despite the loud hammering coming from the workshop next door, he could still hear the relentlessly slow clicking of his watch."

"The Knaves", written by Tiffanie Sisman and narrated by Duncan Stripp, was inspired by the keywords "carpenter", "vinegar" and "taxes". 

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

The Knaves by Tiffanie Sisman

"Summer doesn’t end around here. It just fades a little. Halloween decorations go up, Ugg boots come out, and the boys play football with their t-shirts on. Visitors arrive in smaller numbers, but their look stays the same, everything about them oblivious to our season of Less Summer."

"Summer Doesn't End Around Here", written by Stefanie Sidortsova and narrated by Erin Lillis, was inspired by the keywords "common", "Halloween" and "missile".

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

Summer Doesn't End Around Here by Stefanie Sidortsova

"It seemed a shame to burn it. It was beautifully constructed, a fragile shell of coloured paper pulled taut over a wire frame. Hideous too, but beautiful in its way."

"Lit Up", written by Owen Archlimb and narrated by Duncan Stripp, was inspired by the keywords "Halloween", "common" and "missile".

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

Lit Up by Owen Archlimb

"At 28, the pigs strap me down, prepare the shot. Mama hides her eyes and cries. I’m 27. Guilty. Death penalty. Lethal injection. Because I killed someone. Or my art did. They don’t distinguish between us. Last meal? Paint thinner with a side of oil paint. Cadmium Red, please. Or Prussian Blue. I get beat for my smart-ass mouth."

"The Anarchist's Guide to Fine Art", written by J.C. Nathans and narrated by Joe Biedrzycki, was inspired by the keywords "congress", "art" and "jealousy".

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

The Anarchist's Guide to Fine Art by J.C. Nathans

“'We got no need for a stinkin’ swimmin’ pool!'
'Edith, it’s Wayne Templeton, local deputy. Open up.' . . . The door budges, making an acute angle, then opens wide."

"Hometown Values", written by Brian Crawford and narrated by Erin Lillis, was inspired by the keywords "congress", "art" and "jealousy".

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

Hometown Values by Brian Crawford

"We didn't know what Arthur had been drinking or how much he'd had, but that night – everyone said so – he wasn't the Arthur we knew. Sometime after dusk, the sun hollering, That's it, I quit!, that's when a darkness slipped into Arthur and the night changed its mind about who or what it was going to become."

"Lemons for Arthur", written by Shelley Wood and narrated by Joe Biedrzycki, was inspired by the keywords "congress", "art" and "jealousy".

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

Lemons For Arthur by Shelley Wood

"I’d seen him before along the side of the road, teetering on stilts, wearing the massive stuffed Uncle Sam head with the high-topped black hat. An advertising sign swung from his neck: 'Uncle Sam Wants You! Let Us Do Your Taxes!'"

"Uncle Sam", written by Elizabeth E. Toole and narrated by Erin Lillis, was inspired by the keywords "carpenter", "vinegar" and "taxes". 

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

Uncle Sam by Elizabeth E. Toole

"I watch you studying the tempura shrimp. You are taller than I imagined. I cross the carpet, boots sinking into psychedelic orange swirls."

"In Common", written by Heather McRae-Woolf and narrated by Hannah Cooper Dean, was inspired by the keywords "Halloween", "common" and "missile". 

Can you take three randomly assigned words and craft them into a story of 500 words or fewer? Take the Mash Challenge at http://mashstories.com.

In Common by Heather McRae-Woolf

"Annabella’s knuckles have left pink little circles on her cheeks. Restless, she’s just lifted her head from a sulk. The fog patch on the window shrinks, but rain streams down the other side, trapping her here in her sister’s darkening bedroom. She huffs."

"Dream You are a Kite", written by Cheryl Whittaker and narrated by Hannah Cooper-Dean, was inspired by the keywords "carpenter", "vinegar" and "taxes".

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


Dream You Are A Kite by Cheryl Whittaker

"'Let’s do this house!' George yelled, pointing his finger like an accusatory pistol. The house creaked under its own weight, lumbering there in the darkness."

"How Many Licks Does it Take", written by Dominic Howarth and narrated by Natalie Winter, was inspired by the keywords "Halloween", "common" and "missile".

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

How Many Licks Does it Take? by Dominic Howarth

"Tick… tick… tick…
The noise drove her a bit batty; she would note it in her records. Would it be possible to obtain a clock that did not make that incessant noise? Surely such a thing existed, and certainly it could not be that difficult to acquire."

"Tock", written by Nicki Ivey and narrated by Natalie Winter, was inspired by the keywords "Halloween", "common" and "missile". 

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

Tock by Nicki Ivey

"They called him the Halloween Bandit because he dressed up in a black cape and a mask to make him look like a vampire. As sheriff, it was up to me to catch him if he came to my town, but this was no common criminal."

"The Bad Pun Kid", written by Holly Geely and narrated by Natalie Winter, was inspired by the keywords "Halloween", "common" and "missile". 

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

The Bad Pun Kid by Holly Geely

"Andrea expected a call later that morning from their daughter, and then their granddaughter would sing “Happy Birthday” in her uncertain treble. Andrea would wish her Happy Haunting."

"White Noise", written by Cezarija Abartis and narrated by Erin Lillis, was inspired by the keywords "Halloween", "common" and "missile". 

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

White Noise by Cezarija Abartis

"A grainy Saturday morning, and yesterday’s newspaper flaps past the dented metal doors of The Cockpit. The hour is early – not too early for a green-jacketed dog-walker huddled in her collar, but not yet time for the suit in the alleyway to turn away from pissing against the wall of the club and head home."

"Powder and Perfume", written by Cheryl Whittaker and narrated by Jessica Carroll, was inspired by the keywords "blow-dryer", "honesty" and "cockpit". 

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

Powder And Perfume by Cheryl Whittaker

"Happiness is overrated…
I reached across the desk and tapped a selection into the Acme 10, the mini converter sitting beneath my mug. Bulletproof coffee. Blecch. I don’t know what the hell I had been thinking with chai latte. I was bringing my happy home life to work again."

"The Perfect Employee", written by Claudia Brooke and narrated by Lorraine Ansell, was inspired by the keywords "happiness", "mug" and "converter". 

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

The Perfect Employee by Claudia Brooke

"Friday night. The sky is prematurely dark, layered by thick clouds heavy with moisture and menace. Thunder cracks. The lights over a parking lot blink from the electrical charge in the air as two silver minivans stop in front of The Pizza Libertine. Doors slide open. Twelve uniformed adults run for the front awning as the clouds let loose their watery torment."

"The Pizza of Dorian Gray", written by Bill Bibo, Jr. and narrated by Stephen Chesterton, was inspired by the keywords "pizza", "selfie" and "corruption".

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

The Pizza Of Dorian Gray by Bill Bibo, Jr.

"The Montessori Chess Club comprised members from Congress. Abraham Linkon had come a long way and some said he had ridden on the back of America’s first assassinated leader."

"The Grand Master of Xenophobia", written by Mike Devitt and narrated by Joe Biedrczycki, was inspired by the keywords "congress", "art" and "jealousy". 

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

GrandMaster Of Xenophobia

"Billy released his shit over a parked car. The greasy missile found its mark and slid down the windshield. That bird had no class."

"Of Crows and Corn", written by Sarah Hausman and narrated by Duncan Stripp, was inspired by the keywords "Halloween", "common" and "missile".

Can you take three random words and craft them into a story of 500 words or fewer? Take the Mash Challenge at http://mashstories.com.

Of Crows And Corn by Sarah Hausman

"It all got out of hand. Now, with blood seeping into my eyes and my Mother’s suppressed sobs filling my ears, I have to think it was all my fault. I could have stayed home."

"The Rising", written by Ian Andrew and narrated by Duncan Stripp, was inspired by the keywords "carpenter", "vinegar" and "taxes". 

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


The Rising by Ian Andrew

"When we disembark, we forgo the guided tour. I say there’s safety in numbers, but Nancy says that the bigger the crowd, the less you see. She wants to absorb as much as we can. I’d rather ride on the bus. Staying on the ship by the pool would be even better, but Nancy wants to explore. In less than a block, we’re lost – exactly what she wanted."

"Shore Leave", written by Dick Carmel and narrated by Duncan Stripp, was inspired by the keywords "mug", "happiness" and "converter". 

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

Shore Leave by Dick Carmel

"Eva was keen to recruit the Cobbs into her research project; cases like theirs didn’t come along often. But, instead of obediently signing the consent form, Sarah was wasting time asking questions."

"Happiness Is In Your Genes" written by Kevin Cheeseman and narrated by Natalie Winter, was inspired by the keywords "happiness", "mug" and "converter". 

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

Happiness Is In The Genes by Kevin Cheeseman

"My daughter Amy is coming to take me for a drive. She’ll bring tiny sandwiches and a thermos flask, from which she’ll serve me a plastic mug of revolting chamomile tea."

"The Automobile", written by Rosemary Mayo and narrated by Natalie Winter, was inspired by the keywords "happiness", "mug" and "converter". 

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

The Automobile by Rosemary Mayo

"The coupon slid out from a mauled manila folder. Daniel examined it with only passing attention, just as he had the dozens of old receipts, crumpled sticky notes, and expired train passes that had been unearthed during his forced evacuation."

"The Coupon", written by Conor Yunits and narrated by Erin Lillis, 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.

The Coupon by Conor Yunits

"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.

Saudade by Phil Skiff

"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.

Painted Ladies by Sarah Hausman

"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.

Why We Hide Under Desks by Conor Yunits

"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.

A Guest For Dinner by James Tate

"'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 Make Things by Gregory K. Shipman

"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.

Playback by Conor Yunits

"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.

Straight To The Top by L.J. Kelley

"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. 

The Interns by Anthony Emecheta

"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.

The Only Sure Thing by John McElhinney

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!



FINALE: Sparked Memories by Elizabeth E. Toole

The Mash Stories Podcast showcased stories from our competition's shortlist. It no longer posts new episodes, but please enjoy some stories from our archives!

Our writers take three unlikely words and turn them into an absorbing tale of 500 words. The winners receive $100, also payable in bitcoin.

Mash Stories also offers a blog filled with tips for setting your pen to paper in the first place. We provide a podcast that narrates all of our competitions’ shortlisted stories.

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