First Place Santa’s Bag
By Jim McCormick Everyone! “Santa’s stricken! Coughing something awful!” The elves were sore distressed. Christmas Eve. The big day! Packages wrapped. Sled all loaded. Everything ready to go. From Santa’s bedroom, “Ohhhhhh!” “What can we do? He’s verrrry sick!” “I guess it’s up to me.” “Who said that?” “I did!” declared the underestimated Mrs. Claus, who threw a heavy shawl over her shoulders and jumped aboard the sleigh. In the twinkle of a star, she was headed south from the Pole. Later, in ICU, Santa vowed he would never again refer to his wife as “my old bag!” Jim McCormick is professor of art emeritus, who taught at UNR from 1960 to 1992. When health issues intervened, he turned to writing as his primary means of expression: flash fiction, exhibit catalog essays and magazine articles on historical subjects. He finds being around water is an effective catalyst—a way of quickening his flow of ideas,so to speak.
Second Place Shea’s
by RN&R Readers Every year since 1995, we’ve run this peculiar short-fiction contest. Every year, we’re amazed, bemused and, in some cases, mortified by the places our readers choose to go with their imaginations. This year, it was plain that many people are concerned about the state of the world, love, sex and drinking. Must be the season. A couple of trends we noticed: Since we don’t limit the number of entries people can submit, it becomes certain that practice makes perfect, with several people getting enough points among our editors to have more than one story published. Also, it doesn’t matter how simple you make the rules, creative people are going to find creative ways to break them. Thanks to everyone who contributed, and congratulations to all the winners. OPINION
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NEWS
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GREEN
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FEATURE STORY
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ARTS&CULTURE
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ART OF THE STATE
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FOODFINDS
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FILM
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MUSICBEAT
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NIGHTCLUBS/CASINOS
By Spencer Kilpatrick Head throbbing, he woke up next to his bed. Fully clothed, of course, with the tattered carcass of a number six from Jack In The Box inches from his face. This wasn’t the first time he’d woken up in such a state. Hell, it wasn’t the first time that week. He sat up and checked his pockets. Wallet? Check. Keys? Check. Phone? Dead but check. The man rattled around his apartment for a few minutes looking for aspirin. From his kitchen window he was relieved to see his parking spot empty and forced a smile. Spencer Kilpatrick plays with a local band called Failure Machine and writes for Tahoe Onstage. He’s also a substitute teacher for Washoe County School District. “As far as writing short fiction goes, my only advice is try not to think too linearly. Focus on presenting a moment in time and don’t allow yourself to get bogged down by narrative.” His story was inspired by rowdy nights and wasted mornings, courtesy of Reno’s endlessly entertaining nightlife.
WORD continued on page 14
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THIS WEEK
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MISCELLANY
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DECEMBER 24, 2015
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RN&R
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