Wandering Shop Stories 103

Prompt Word: Ace #wss366 (ace) (1/3) An explosion fills the screen, and after three beats of the high paced soundtrack suddenly silenced, a whole second, the hero’s space fighter finally emerges from the fringes of the shrinking fireball. Jeremy comments, “That’s why he’s the ace.” His group of tween friends all agree enthusiastically, much to the embarrassment of Robert, who had tried to get the kids to understand on the ride over that there is supposed to be some decorum in a public movie theater....

22 Jul 2026 · 2 min · Gary Allen Vollink

Wandering Shop Stories 102

Prompt Word: Brief #wss366 (brief) (1/2) Patricia: I really wish you wouldn’t say that, Chuck. Chuck: Say, what? Patricia: Ugh, that thing you just said. It makes you sound like a cartoon character. Chuck: What do you mean? You did a great pitch in there, and I think the board was impressed by what you had to say. Patricia: Yes, thank you, I wish you would say it that way....

22 Jul 2026 · 1 min · Gary Allen Vollink

Wandering Shop Stories 101

Prompt Word: Smut DISCLAIMER: This is not fiction, it’s history. My real history. It was the 90s. Phone entertainment lines were at their peak. Celebrities shilled for psychic readings on mainstream outlets. Chat lines were shilled in the back of magazines. Microsoft had product support at the end of a 900 number. The backbone of it all was smut for lonely men. Gay men, straight men, there was a line to cater to what lonely men wanted....

5 Jul 2026 · 2 min · Gary Allen Vollink

Wandering Shop Stories 100

Prompt Word: Carbon #wss366 (carbon) (1/1) S: Now, this one is exactly what you are looking for. Fully tested and functional. M: Has it been tested for landing on a terrestrial planet? S: Absolutely. M: I’ve heard enough. Mark walked away to find another ship yard. Xib followed along, “Why did you walk away, seemed like a great deal.” M: There was no carbon scoring anywhere on that thing, it’s never seen atmosphere....

1 Jul 2026 · 1 min · Gary Allen Vollink