You know what I dig about Russia? It's big. Stupidly big. But what else I dig about Russia is a lot of its literature focuses on the lives of the little people.

This week I want a small story told within the scope of a larger one implied. Something small and intimate among a handful of people, but nested within a much larger narrative we never get to see the full brunt of, like having tea in the middle of no man's land. Something large and looming is stirring in the background, but all that concerns us is the scene that's before us.

There are, of course, some restrictions to this:

1. No exposition. Absolutely none. What worldbuilding or backstory you wish to imply must be exactly that: implied. If at any point you have to sit me down and explain the nuances of the space race in Alpha Centauri or some character loudly vocalizes their distaste for the emperor ascendent, you have failed.

2. No just setting your story in some bustling metropolis and calling it a day. "No, you see, because New York itself is the larger story," wouldn't even sell on a T-shirt. There must be something brewing in the background of your story and I should be able to pick it out in the margins of the text.

Beyond that you may do as you wish. Science fiction, fantasy, whatever floats your boat. Real world history and alternate world history are welcome too. But you must do this and all of this in 1,000 words or less, and you'd better believe that includes the title.

Your judges will be myself, Oxxidation, and Budgieinspector. Additionally, Oxxidation has a little something he'd like to share with the class.



And there you have it.