Here were the rules:
While criminal trials may drag on for months or even years, a criminal act may take but only a moment.
Blink, and it's over.
You are hereby charged to write an entire crime in just fifty-five words. No more. No less.
How short is that, you might ask?
This little piece is exactly fifty-five words.
Our judges were tough this month and disagreed frequently. Here is the top story plus four runners-up they finally settled on:
FINGERWALKING by Clint Gaige
We shared a look. It was the kind of connection a professional can make. I smiled, pointing at the painting on the wall. While she turned her head and followed the imaginary arrow my finger created, my fingers made off with her wallet.
We shared one last look.
I smiled and wished her the best.
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COAST GUARDIAN by Allen McGill
All right. Step this way, onto the beach. You're under arrest.
Arrest? For what?
Disturbing the peace.
What do you mean? How was I disturbing the peace?
You were walking.
I don't get it. Since when is that a crime?
It is when you walk on water.
Why?
It scares the fishes. Come along, Jesus.
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INTERRUPTED JOURNEY by Amera Salman
She had taken the first bus going south and now sat thinking about Henry's death. Unexpectedly a swerving car forced the fast-moving vehicle to veer away, it overturned and went down a steep embankment... her victim's brother was bending over her as the breath left her body... she hadn't gotten away with it after all.
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BIRTHDAY BOY by Joanne Morcom
He stared at the eleven candles on his angel food birthday cake. The flames reminded him of all the fires he'd started. The last one burned down his school.
"Make a wish and blow out your candles," his mother said.
He closed his eyes, wished for a long, hot, dry summer and pursed his lips.
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MOONLIGHTING by Paul Alan Fahey
Angie goes into her dance. She glides across the top of the bar. A guy beckons. She bends down, and he stuffs a C-note in her G-string. The music slows. Angie holds up the Franklin, then signals the bartender. "Call the cops, Louie, this bill's bogus." He doesn't hesitate. Angie's day job's at First Federal.
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Thank you to everyone who entered-and the ever-patient judges (Stephen, Craig, Mary, Vince, Andrea, John, Rich, and Chris), too!
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