August '10 Elimination

[Scheherazade]

I can't decide.

Dear Sancho,

As part of the Literature Network management team, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for taking the time to read the stories in this month's elimination.

Please contact us if there is anything our team can do to make the decision process less painful for you.

Kind Regards

Scheherazade
Moderator (LitNet)

[Sancho]

Thanks Sher, but no Ma’am, there’s nothing to be done. I’m trapped within my own psyche. You see, I liked each of the stories for one reason or another. And while reading them, I kept thinking that each writer had put a lot of effort into their story and had produced something they were proud of. Then I got the idea that by voting for one, I’d be insulting the others. So here’s a cop-out typical of Sancho: I cast my vote for everybody. I know that doesn’t help a whole bunch in naming a winner, but what the hey? Everybody’s a winner, according to Sancho.

[Captain Pike]

No, dude... you've got to cast your vote, painful as it may be. See, the regular user can't tell how many people are hemming and hawing, or even reading the stories. Day after day, if I look at the voting, and see the same old eight votes cast, it looks like maybe, no one's even reading them.
Although I can't really compete in the writing, The Short Story Contest is one of my favorite sections here at my favorite Internet site. The idea that maybe only eight people read the stories, seems like it would be awfully discouraging to those that actually wrote them, or even the eight of us who did vote.
So please, vote -- the process itself represents something bigger than all of us!

[LMK]

No, dude... you've got to cast your vote, painful as it may be. See, the regular user can't tell how many people are hemming and hawing, or even reading the stories. Day after day, if I look at the voting, and see the same old eight votes cast, it looks like maybe, no one's even reading them.
Although I can't really compete in the writing, The Short Story Contest is one of my favorite sections here at my favorite Internet site. The idea that maybe only eight people read the stories, seems like it would be awfully discouraging to those that actually wrote them, or even the eight of us who did vote.
So please, vote -- the process itself represents something bigger than all of us!

Wow, yeah what he said!

Did anyone else hear an anthem of some sort playing in the background and feel the urge to stand up and salute while reading the Captain's post? Just me, huh?

[Scheherazade]

Thanks Sher, but no Ma’am, there’s nothing to be done.

Are you sure?

Papaya and I have decided to offer 15 minutes' free shoulder massage to those who are considering voting...
To ease the burden of decision making, you see.

[Sancho]

No, dude... you've got to cast your vote, painful as it may be. See, the regular user can't tell how many people are hemming and hawing, or even reading the stories. Day after day, if I look at the voting, and see the same old eight votes cast, it looks like maybe, no one's even reading them.
Although I can't really compete in the writing, The Short Story Contest is one of my favorite sections here at my favorite Internet site. The idea that maybe only eight people read the stories, seems like it would be awfully discouraging to those that actually wrote them, or even the eight of us who did vote.
So please, vote -- the process itself represents something bigger than all of us!

Papaya and I have decided to offer 15 minutes' free shoulder massage to those who are considering voting...
To ease the burden of decision making, you see.

I’m a short fiction junkie too. And, aiy Cap’n. Sir, you argue persuasively, but Scher cinched the deal. Oh yeah, oh yeah, that’s got it, a little to the left, ahhhhh.

As I said earlier, I liked all of the stories. Some had beautiful prose, some had superb description, some had surprise or tension, and all were humanistic. {edit}

[Scheherazade]

but Scher cinched the deal. Oh yeah, oh yeah, that’s got it, a little to the left, ahhhhh.

Sancho,

I think there has been a misunderstanding.

As Forum moderators, Papaya and I made the decision to offer massages but they will be administered either by The Atheist, Neely or Dafydd!

Enjoy!

[Captain Pike]

Always wonder about those {edit }s replaced.


... Then, later...

Cool, more cloak and dagger stuff! This beats the heck out of candy bars! I can't wait to see what's going to happen next...




... to the shores of Tripoli!

[Scheherazade]

Always wonder about those {edit }s replaced.

Comments on individual stories are not allowed, I am afraid.

[Captain Pike]

aww... that's it? I guess I can wait.

[dafydd manton]

I would, of course, in the spirit of Litnet, be only too happy to offer any massage seen fit, but I feel I should give a couple of warnings. Firstly, I am wearing the gloves I used for replacing the gearbox and half-shafts on a '69 Chevvy Impala, so any dark marks left on the skin are the responsibilty of the recipient. The oil is, of course Castrol - nothing but the best. Secondly, as a result of a misunderstanding between myself and a German maker of steel nail-clippers, my finger-nails are not only slightly longer than the fingers to which they are attached, but they are painted a delicate shade of mercurochrome red. Thirdly, I have a black belt, 7th Dan, in Origami, so one word out of place, and I fold you in to a paper rabbit. Should this be acceptable, I will be there, at the crack of noon, on the day in question. I am the one with the Druidic robes and the Royal Automoblile Club badge on my underwear. I look forward to our assignation.......

[LitNetIsGreat]

I too, like my fellow amateur masseur dafydd, would be only too happy to help out for the great cause of Lit Net and art. However, I must also warn you that I probably have bits of muck under my bitten nails from messing about with basil and tomato leaves. Also as I find all types of massaging incredible tedious I will also complain for the entire five minutes of the process, in fact as I don’t really like touching other people’s naked backs (complete with olive oil) so I will probably have to use my new pump-action water spray instead - if you don’t mind. One other issue is the fact that I am a bit sweaty, having been sat on my leather sofa for the last seven hours, I have been working mind, but that doesn’t alter the fact that I am in need of a wee bath, so you know, just warning you like. I will also insist on wearing my new John Lennon shades throughout the process (I picked them up in an emergency from poundland but have grown rather fond of them). Other than that, hop on by.*




* Subject to terms and conditions. Only attractive females may apply. Clients are under no obligation to stay the entire five minutes and can leave within this period, however should this occur a penalty of supplying Neely with a superior quality Belgian ale, a Trappist ale or Abbey ale is required as minimum payment. Should clients stay the entire five minutes a Trappist ale or Abbey ale is required a minimum payment. Clients are responsible for bringing their own towels and hair projection at all times, as it is regretted that the use of Neely’s towels is not permitted within the massage area (floor) as this would require the use of them being washed afterwards and Neely can’t stand the sound of the washing machine for more than five minutes. The Literature Network Forums can not be held responsible for individual masseurs and any complaints cannot be directed towards either the site, the Admins or the Moderators. All issues are the sole responsibility of the individual and the masseur in question. However complaints against the individual masseurs are not allowed. This does not affect your statutory rights.

[dafydd manton]

I second everything Neely says, especially the bit about supplying some Ale, although since he's been messing about with Basil, I do have one or two reservations.

[LitNetIsGreat]

Basil had no complaints...

[dafydd manton]

Ah, you offered him the wet lettuce and the rhubarb compote, then....