Despite all the letters and petitions demanding an end to all of this, I’m back with another 101-word Story of the Week.

It was inspired by anonymous reader Gary Parker, who sent me a Western Union telegram with this challenging prompt. Thanks, Mr. Parker. Oops!

          Day of the Hunt

Nikita emptied her jeep to make room for future quarry. Her khaki vest stuffed with coupons, she reached the hunting grounds (the mall). Adrenaline coursed through her veins.

Hiking toward the Black Friday event, for protection, she joined fellow PETA members (Purchasers Enthralled by Retail Activity). They cautiously approached a pack of predators (Shopaholics Anonymous recruiters).

“Would you like a—“

“Not interested,” Nikita said.

“—Free coupon for our steak dinner and ‘short’ meeting?”

Nikita snatched the coupon. “Free? Sure!”

She skipped off to stalk her retail prey.

After the free dinner, they’d reprogram her in 12 steps, ending her retail hunting.

Prompt: The Last Freebie

Novel News & Notes: I made more progress this week reaching out to former co-workers and associates, such as my old SWAT partner, BK. I texted to ask if he knew any former bomb techs we worked with. Shame on me because I guess I forgot that BK went on to become a bomb guy himself for 17 years. Since I just recently came up with the idea to include a bomb in my story, I wanted to write a detail-filled scene that will give readers a peek behind the curtain. The rich inside scoop BK gave me will serve me well—as long as I can deliver the perfect scene to justify the great technical assistance he gave me.

When we were done with the research part of the call, he told me a riveting tale about a guy he grew up with who went on to become an FBI bomb tech. They went to bomb school together in Alabama. This guy turned out to be the second agent through the door when they stormed the Unabomber’s cabin in Montana. He was also walking next to security guard Richard Jewell when Jewell spotted the bomb at the Atlanta Olympics. Guess that guy’s got stories to tell.

So do I, and I plan to keep on writing ‘em.

Thanks for listening.

Scotty out

PS—Thanks to talented writer Michael Latta for his assistance on this week’s story.