Discussion Thread -- December 2015 75-word Writing Challenge

Yet another tour de force, Luiglin. Got a good chuckle at the end. Nicely done.
 
Wonderful stories so far.

Only to be expected, considering the quality of the stories submitted to the Challenges month after month.
 
Well, I'm in. As it's December, I went with a Christmas tale...and I'm hoping there is more than one way for a story to be seen as unexpected. :) I'm going now to look at the flock of pheasants that are devouring the offerings around our bird feeders. Good luck with your stories, everyone! CC
 
The Minion says that a touch a petty evil will help as I convalesce. As such, he has kindly hacked into the writers account so that I can once more peruse these tall tales.

Bowled Over from one Droflet - How can I be evil about a lad who declares himself naughty whilst taking on the barbarian St. Nicholas, albeit a mechanical copy. What a lad. There is a lump in my throat and a tear in my eye... I must stop eating raw onions.

That time of year again from Him - He did it! It was him Minion, not you or your spanner! Cross him off the card list and add him to the Norman list.

The Boiling Man from one Asleyne B. Watts - More evil, this time in the form of a mechanical steam powered robber. I’m bemused by this. I mean what would he want the money for? A new paint job? To fund his anodized rivet habit?

The Blunting of Damocles from one reiver33 - Ah Dark Matter - Horrible stuff, I have to have it leeched out of my ears every month. What Minion? Oh, it’s not that Dark Matter, its Dark Matter. I did wonder why he would be stabbed for my ear crud.

A Christmas Repair All Ordered as S & M Steam Engine Shop by one Cat’s Cradle - I don’t get it? Sorry Minion? Oh that’s just the title. I had to scrooge up my eyes to read this but that didn’t stop the final pun smacking me in the eyes like a Dickensian orphan’s lump of gruel.

Harbinger in the Smoking Room by one Harebrain - I had a strange reaction to reading this. My lip stiffened up and I had an urge to drink some fortified wine. Damn spiffing, old boy.
 
Santa’s Naughty and Nice List​

It goes without saying, that I, Santa Claus, known by some as St. Nicholas or Father Christmas am known for keeping a list of all the good and bad little boys and girls.

Those lovely little angels get all the presents, while the bad make the naughty list and lose some gifts.

But those that are really, really bad – well let’s just say you probably don’t want to know what happens to them.

For a change this festive season, I would like to share part of my list with you.
 
Drof (Naughty) – What can I say, this is unexpected, because with a little sod like this I would never have gone there. The little creep would be in a sack with my boot up his backside! Sorry was this a bit harsh.. oh, yes ahem Ho! Ho! Ho!

Luiglin (So Naughty there is not a word for it) – Well he is a Dark Lord is he not? But perhaps, for once we can forgive his evil ways, for it would seem that he has got his just desserts at last. But with these dark one’s you never know. Now where’s my chief engineer, you can put the spanner away now… (Mmmm did dome one say desserts, Christmas pud and mince pies)

Ashleyne (Wavering on the line) – A nice twist this, the boiling man is in fact someone who lets others do the hard work for him and then reaps the benefits. I never saw that coming. I can’t believe there are people like that in the world. Now where’s my whip, On Rudolph, on Donner and Blitzen…
 
Droflet -- With jolly dark humor, the author disarms the seeming violence of this holiday jape by showing that it's all just a game of clockwork toys.

Luiglin -- In this amusing story we find the important lesson that one shouldn't mess around with things one doesn't understand, the moral sweetened with good old-fashioned slapstick.

Ashleyne. B. Watts -- Great imagination is used in this action-packed story which forces the reader to consider the ambiguous nature of heroes and villains.

reiver33 -- A sobering account of the ways in which uncontrolled technological progress might lead to disaster can be found in this thoughtful tale.

Cat's Cradle -- While playing tribute to one of the great writers of the past, the author slyly builds an intricate structure of wordplay, revealing its full effect only at the end.

HareBrain -- While maintaining a droll, detached style, the author offers an intriguing glimpse at the ways that our modern society might have been different.

ratsy -- By making use of a familiar folk myth, this chilling tale carries a powerful impact in its stinging conclusion.
 
Thanks to the Big Lug (yeah, he's got a nick name now) Tim and Victoria for their wonderful reviews. As always you guys rock.
 
hmm. after some head scratching i have written something, but it's come in at 285 words. normally i have little problem cutting things down from 150 or so, but 285 might be a step too far... will have to let it simmer...
 
Im in!
I had written two stories for this month's theme, and while I did like my other one, i wanted to add the Christmassy vibe, which was sadly lacking in the other. The only problem is there is only a touch of steampunk in my Christmas tale...
 
According to the Minion kippers are good for you. Smells a bit fishy to me. As do I after lying in the dread bed the last couple of hours with them stuffed under my bandages.

Santa Satan Claus by one ratsy - The evil is brimming over this month... I must be having an influence. As to this tale, positively delicious. I see that old Red n Horny still has a soft spot for cookies.

Sea Change by one Victoria Silverwolf - Whitcomb? Minion wasn't he the fellow who cornered the turtle egg market? Right, tell Norman to get shipwrecked and make sure he drags along that goblin, Snitch. Time to offer our 'business insurance'.

Gifts for the Wise by one LittleStar - Honestly, have you smelt Myrrh? My advice, don't open it, it's a trap! Think, who else do you know that goes to such great lengths to give away free stuff. Trust me, I'm evil.

Pa Rum Pum Pum Pum by one Robert Mackay - I'm so glad that the Minion got around to that. You see, he can work a spanner correctly sometimes. That 'rictus smile'? Just his little touch... no need for thanks.
 
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Reiver33 (Good – A big pink fluffy bunny) - There are those that will do whatever they can to protect the status quo, no matter what area of society they are trying to protect. Sometimes though there is only one way to do it – by making a point.

CC (Naughty) – Anyone who runs a series of puns like this deserves a slap on the back for coming up with something so audacious, but they go straight onto the naughty list for being so awesomely groan inducing.

HB (Good – A talking dolly)- Well just dash and confound it, a rollicking good adventure, what? Of course in a steampunk world there is no room for technological meanderings away from the wonders of cogs and gears. Damned funny too!

ratsy (Naughty) – Christmas is a time of cold and snow, but the chills should not be down your spine. Put the mulled wine and mince pies away if this fellow comes down your chimney.

Victoria – (Good – a racing car set) – There is the sense of something good happening here, after all what could be the greatest of gifts, when hope is snatched away only to come back when all seems lost?
 
Oh, I'm so happy I'm naughty! :) Wow, the earliest Christmas gift imaginable - three reviewers working, and three reviews received! Thanks so much, everyone! December, with its holidays, is a remarkably hectic month for most folks, so thank you for taking the time to write these charming reviews. Really nice stories so far too, gang, CC
 
LittleStar (Good – A lovely pink Hobby Horse) – Is there anything better than receiving a present? Well an unexpected one is a step up, especially one that is ensconced in mystery and history.

Robert Mackay (Naughty) – Such an innocent little tale and then it is all turned on its head by that nasty twist. I was not going to judge the naughty/good aspect by the stories, but in this instance Mistletoe Massacre? Bad Robert Bad! ;)
 
LittleStar -- By offering what seems at first to be a familiar scene, although one seen through a distorting lens of imagination, the breathtaking revelation of vast spans of time has a powerful effect on the reader.

Robert Mackay -- With dark humor, the author shows us how even the most cherished of traditions, when they become overly familiar, can become so annoying that one is tempted to fight back against them.

Tim James -- With a knowing wink at action films and adventure stories, this mordant tale offers us an unexpected look at archetypal characters of folklore.
 
I'm 6 commentaries and uncounted wiki pages into my research... and I must say, reading about the history of science has caused me to question reality.

I've got 1 story that's more unexpected than steampunk, and 1/2 a story that's more steampunk-drugged puns than anything at all.

*Hope scuttles back to her layer muttering "needs more dynamo"*
 
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