The 50 Cents Flash Fiction group is a series of short-short stories intended to be sold at 50¢ each. They will all be under 2000 words each, mostly under 1000 words.

(Note: some sales channels do not allow for 50¢ pricing.)

The series includes the following:

No. 01: Pool Hall Scene  (854 words)

A flunky pool player has a game with a stranger.

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Michael looked up as a tall, slender figure entered the smoky poolroom. He was wearing a fedora and an elegant black coat, and Michael was sure …

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No. 02: Waiting for a Latte  (598 words)

Donald tries to entertain himself while waiting in line for coffee.

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The rain fell sideways as the storm winds whipped through the Portland streets. Twenty-four year old Donald, his curly black hair flapping wildly, followed three others hurrying into the downtown Starbucks where, clothes dripping . . .

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No. 03:  Goodie Two-Shoes    (499 words)

Down and out former CPA Martin Pechowski finds two pairs of shoes in a free box at the free kitchen. Each pair has its own personality.

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Martin Pechowski looked around the dim, underground soup kitchen, with its sad, assorted cast of castoff street characters, sitting at the round, dark formica-topped tables. … In the entryway, several boxes were being tossed onto a long table. First dibs, he thought.

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No. 04:  The Room    (912 words)

Rich-kid Jenni Plochka checks into a cheap motel on the run from her latest diva-tragedy. She is running from her demons, but can she hide?

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“Jenni Plochka?” Dressed in a faded, pink bathrobe, the worn woman read from the card in her booze and tobacco harshened voice. The blue neon “Vacancy” flashed through her cigarette smoke. …

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No. 05:  Solitaire    (Contemporary — 720 words)

“I am supposed to be her boyfriend, yet she would rather play solitaire than spend time with me.” the narrator exclaims as his girlfriend continues with her computer game after he comes home. This sets the tone for the rest of the evening.

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I stood there, behind the couch, ticking away at my fingernails while Suzie finished her game. Without looking up or saying a word, she went on to the next. …

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No. 06:  Elk City, Idaho    (Contemporary — 1316 words)

In 1976, a buch of hippie tree planters invade a small mill town in Idaho. There they receive an interesting welcome.

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A group of old timers and a few kids sat around the campfire. A couple of fresh logs were tossed on, sending a rush of sparks up to the sky. Robbie Richards pushed back his grey hair, and stretched his long boots towards the fire. Someone handed him a fresh bottle of Porter, and he began his story.  …

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No. 07:  The Bottle of Tokaj    (Contemporary —   1922 words)

University student Gretta returns returns home to find that her roommate has opened a very special bottle of wine.

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When her companion took in a sudden sharp breath and looked down at the table, Jill sensed that something was very wrong even though she could not see Gretta biting her lip. “Uh-oh!” she exclaimed. “I hope it wasn’t a big mistake. I mean, it looked like the bottle had already been opened once, so we thought it would be OK. Look we’ll pay you for a new one no matter what it cost.” Jill sensed that her reassurances were not making much of a difference. “Please say it’s OK.” she pleaded.  …

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No. 08:  Conversation in a Hospital Room    (Contemporary —   364 words)

In a hospital room, a couple have a falling out over one’ dangerous life style.

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I remember sunshine streaming through sterile windows onto the cold, vinyl-tile floor, onto the hanging I-V bag, and onto the uncaring white bed sheets. I cleared my throat. This was the most difficult thing I have ever done in my life.  …

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No. 09:  The Photograph    (Contemporary —   493 words)

Strange things happen when Sarah Jones encounters a very strange photo of herself.

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It had not been there before, not when Sarah placed her morning chamomile tea on the table. Moments later, however, it was right next to the gold-rimmed teacup. A photograph. Of her. She was standing at a Brooklyn subway station with black, spiked hair and a black, spiked collar.

Sarah Jones had never worn a collar, and never been to New York.  …

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No. 10:  Mexican Flight 522    (Contemporary —   2023 words)

A woman suffers through an emotional strain on a flight retuning home.

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Yolanda Vasquez walked slowly to the airport boarding gate. In front of her stood a tall, bulky man in a dark blue tee- shirt. Her husband, Arturo, followed a half-step behind, and handed the boarding passes forward.

It was the Sunday after Easter, and the drab Acapulco airport was not crowded.It was the Sunday after Easter, and the drab Acapulco airport was not crowded.  …

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No. 07:  The Bottle of Tokaj    (Contemporary —   1845 words)

University student Gretta returns returns home to find that her roommate has opened a very special bottle of wine.

———-

When her companion took in a sudden sharp breath and looked down at the table, Jill sensed that something was very wrong even though she could not see Gretta biting her lip. “Uh-oh!” she exclaimed. “I hope it wasn’t a big mistake. I mean, it looked like the bottle had already been opened once, so we thought it would be OK. Look we’ll pay you for a new one no matter what it cost.” Jill sensed that her reassurances were not making much of a difference. “Please say it’s OK.” she pleaded.  …

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