Discussion Thread -- APRIL 2022 75 Word Writing Challenge

[The Judge]

As ever a number of stories I didn't understand, so I hope people will be generous after voting is over and explain! Also as ever, some I didn't think hit the theme or genre, and one or two which for me didn't amount to stories.

So my shortlist:

BigJ -- The Facade of Regal Grace and Temperance -- letting off pressure is necessary​

Cat's Cradle -- The Test Case -- even a robot can feel pressure​

Christine Wheelwright -- Starship -- a pressed hand in return for a pressed life​

johnnyjet -- In Deep -- pressure creating clarity or instability​

M. Robert Gibson -- Captain Picatan, 42 EOD Regiment, Space Corps -- the pressure of a ticking clock​

Peter V -- Peace Talks -- pressure of the wrong kind​

​

Quite a lot of to-ing and fro-ing as I pondered where to place my vote, but in the end I plumped for Christine's poignant tale of forgiveness with BigJ's tale of a Queen with a built-in pressure valve coming a very close second.

Water boiling thanks for the kind mentions/shortlistings BTJ, johnnyjet, sule and CC, and highly pressurised pillow thanks for the lovely vote, Artoriarius!

 

[farntfar]

In the end a very difficult choice for the vote between @paranoid marvin and @The Judge. A particularly brilliant title TJ as well as the story, but I'm afraid Marvin got the vote.

Other great stories from @Cat's Cradle , @Bowler1 , @Astro Pen , @Daysman , @johnnyjet ,@Parson , @Danny McG and @mosaix .

 

[worldofmutes]

Also as ever, some I didn't think hit the theme or genre, and one or two which for me didn't amount to stories.

Ah, I think I could pump out something better next month myself. Mine was sort of a stream of conscience thing I experienced at work. I thought it was funny when this little Mexican kid recommended La Bamba and I was thinking about the bowls jumping around in the dishwasher and having to dig them out.

But; I’ll try to keep with the theme henceforward!

 

[paranoid marvin]

Thankyou so much for the shortlistings Hugh, Daysman and Elckerlyc, and huge appreciation to farntfar for the vote.

 

[Ursa major]

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The poll has closed and we have a winner:

Congratulations, Christine Wheelwright!​

​

 

[JS Wiig]

As ever a number of stories I didn't understand, so I hope people will be generous after voting is over and explain!

Mine was about baking a cake.

@Christine Wheelwright congratulations!

 

[Astro Pen]

Yay! Well done @Christine Wheelwright

 

[Christine Wheelwright]

Yay! Well done @Christine Wheelwright

Thank you! Thank you! Now, who do I get to slap before my acceptance speech?

 

[Christine Wheelwright]

Many thanks for the votes @The Judge , @StilLearning , @Daysman , @Elckerlyc , @magpie Asylum .

Also thanks for the honorable mentions @Victoria Silverwolf , @nixie , @therapist , @BT Jones , @johnnyjet , @Starbeast , @M. Robert Gibson, @Astro Pen.

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

Many congratulations on a hard won victory!

 

[MatthewKusza]

AUGH!!!! Poor time management strikes again!!! I went to vote earlier today (last minute as usual) but got distracted! Sorry to all!

Here are my thoughts anyways. I know people appreciate the feedback.

@Ashleyne Amen! Allowing the pressure to get us is never worth it!
@Christine Wheelwright Congrats on this month's win! Funny what we do for those we love!
@paranoid marvin Love, love, love the dialogue and laughed at the end!
@Parson Agree it's usually pressure from higher up or some ridiculous regulation which leads to things going awry.
@mosaix Your story made me laugh! I think I heard once something like this actually happened with a unmanned lander! LOL!

@M. Robert Gibson You would have had my vote earlier when it counted! Sorry again!!! Loved the dialogue, the hesitation, the uncertainty! Well done.

See everyone at the May 75 word challenge!

 

[nixie]

Congratulations @Christine Wheelwright.

 

[Ian Fortytwo]

Congratulations @Christine Wheelwright

 

[Elckerlyc]

Congratulations @Christine Wheelwright

 

[mosaix]

Congratulations @Christine Wheelwright

 

[Daysman]

Congrats @Christine Wheelwright !!!

 

[Hugh]

Very well done @Christine Wheelwright ! Many Congratulations!

 

[The Judge]

Congratulations, Christine! I look forward to hearing your story on next month's Chronscast!


Thanks for the runner-up-ship and kind words, farntfar!

In case my story caused any confusion, one of the few facts I recall from my physics O-level (a looong time ago...) is that you get lousy tea on Everest because the higher you go, the lower the air pressure, so the water boils at a lower temperature. I did contemplate trying to come up with a Heath Robinson type of device to counteract it, but at that point scientific ignorance kicked in! So it was easier to go with human nature, a petty tyrant of a king, an enigmatic guru and a pragmatic chamberlain!

 

[Ursa major]

one of the few facts I recall from my physics O-level (a looong time ago...) is that you get lousy tea on Everest because the higher you go, the lower the air pressure, so the water boils at a lower temperature.

I heard the same story, albeit featuring the high Andes rather than Everest, in a Junior school geography class (possibly in the last lesson before the Christmas holidays).

 

[Cat's Cradle]

Congratulations, Christine Wheelwright! Looking forward to your choices for next month's Challenge (and happy May is only two days away).
Condolences to all who kept it close till the very end.

Thanks so much to Daysman, farntfar and TJ for the listings!