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Kathleen Clare Waller's avatar

Fantastic story, Alexander. It does feel like it just flowed - even the tricky parts feel smooth as if it was all in your head and just spilled out like the wine itself. Many good stories share a spilt bottle. Excited to read where it goes.

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Alexander Ipfelkofer's avatar

Thanks, Kate! Yes, it was fun writing it down in one go. Sure could edit more I bet but that’s always the case. It was a Chateauneuf-du-Pape which got edited out, didn’t feel like spilling such good wine 😅

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Kathleen Clare Waller's avatar

Hahaha

Can’t wait for the follow up...

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Alexander Ipfelkofer's avatar

It will be a while. Mandy will have to think of Barry Manilow in the meantime. ;)

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Kathleen Clare Waller's avatar

Ha. I can wait!

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Euuuw!. Brilliantly creepy and twisted. I loved this line: I“I brought Chinese, Mother. The noodles you like.” I hope the unsuspecting Mandy gets out of there.

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Alexander Ipfelkofer's avatar

Thanks, Sharron! Glad you found it entertaining. The jury is still out whether Mandy will make it or not! I wonder what the others think! Will she won’t she?

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Daniel O’Donnell's avatar

Brilliantly done, Alexander with a great last line

Also, well done on telling such a tragic and chilling tale but still squeezing in a line from Life of Brian! 😁

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Alexander Ipfelkofer's avatar

Thanks, Daniel! Yes indeed, I always like to hide some Python nuggets here and there ;) glad you caught it! 😀

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Nathan Slake's avatar

👏👏 didn't see it coming until the very last moment! Superbly executed, Alexander. Some lovely little lines in there.

Naturally, he grew up to become a statistician.

😅

Don't you just love it when the words flow out quickly?

Tried to navigate to that sensorama website ... link doesn't work for me 🤔🤣

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Alexander Ipfelkofer's avatar

Thanks, Nathan. If the twist was a surprise then mission accomplished. 😁 And yeah, stories that write themselves are a lot of fun!

Someone better register that domain name fast 😅

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Nathan Slake's avatar

Mission accomplished for sure :)

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Oh yes, I loved this story. The second reading was just as creepy. "Were he in charge, he would run out of warning slips faster than rats out of an aqueduct. The comparison gave him pause. Statistically, he was unsure whether that was accurate. " and "“Three per cent? Three—What the fuck have we been doing? Wanking off all day? Unacceptable. My neighbour’s snot-nosed five-year-old could sell more units than you, losers.” I loved the boss and I loved the mother's voice in Reggie' head. Beautiful! You are so talented, Alex!

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Alexander Ipfelkofer's avatar

You’re too kind, Sharron! Just saw this comment now. I wonder oftentimes when we go back to what we have written if we would change much if anything, esp. once I compile the pieces together into one. Thanks again for reading! ❤️❤️❤️

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Priya Iyer's avatar

This was so good! I didn’t suspect anything till the end!

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Alexander Ipfelkofer's avatar

Thank you, Priya! A surprise twist for the unsuspecting reader. So happy it worked!

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Sep 28, 2023
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Alexander Ipfelkofer's avatar

Thanks for reading, Nadia! And yes, that last line is WAI. Working As Intended.

Maybe we put it to a vote on whether Mandy gets out. Readers decide, like in an interactive story ;)

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Sep 29, 2023
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Alexander Ipfelkofer's avatar

Mandy wins, 1 vote! But who is “them” ;)

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