Flash fiction

A pupil finished up his artwork as his teacher walked over to check on the student’s progress. “Wow. This is good.” The teacher noted. “I mean, this is really good. Too good.” He looked at his pupil, who stood by the painting. “You made this?” The pupil nodded. “People should see this.” He looked at his pupil. “I hope they remember you.” “I don’t wish to be remembered.” The pupil looked away from the teacher. “Legacies are for those who wish to sell their lives to history. I

A flash fiction story can reimagine one of history’s most dramatic moments from an unexpected point of view. In “The Light,” Greg Luti takes readers into hell itself, where Satan and his demons celebrate what they believe is their greatest victory — until a powerful beam of light reveals Jesus in a triumphant confrontation. Satan sat on his throne nervously biting his fingernails. He whispered to a demon standing by his throne. “Is it done?” “Yes. All reports we have say that

Greg Luti’s satirical flash fiction “The Celebrity” places us in a tense meeting room where a famous star listens to lawyers and consultants debate every possible way to handle a major scandal — until one quiet voice offers the one option no one else has dared to mention. A celebrity sat around the room of lawyers and consultants, ready to address them on the current scandal that has rocked his world. The celebrity is unsure if he can handle all the negative press and wishes

A flash fiction story can explore the difference between celebrity and true greatness. In “Being Like,” Greg Luti follows a high school student who chooses Michael Jackson as his role model for fame and talent — until his teacher introduces him to the ancient Roman hero Cincinnatus, who chose a very different path. A high school student stood at the door of the classroom waiting to see where his teacher was in the room. The teacher was helping two other students in extra help

Greg Luti’s surreal flash fiction “The Man Out Of Time” follows a disoriented man who wakes up in a strange, meaningless world of gray corridors and glowing yellow lakes — only to discover he is being quietly observed. An individual finds himself in an area unfamiliar to himself and many others, I can imagine. To one side is a corridor similar to something you would see in Willy Wonka, with its gray appearance and deceptive doors. To the other side is a glowing yellow lake th

An ordinary errand can become a moment of unexpected philosophy. In “Math Equation,” Greg Luti turns a simple trip to CVS into a deep conversation with a stranger who explains how life itself is one giant, ever-changing math equation. After my shift, I went to my local CVS to get something to drink and a snack or two. I was not in the mood for any actual food, just something to tie me over as I drove home, so I thought I would quickly go into the CVS and get something, a habi

Greg Luti’s flash fiction “The Name To Remember” follows a reluctant wedding guest who politely endures an older man’s long, increasingly wild story about being abducted by aliens — only to quietly escape the moment the storyteller steps away. I sat at a corner table of a wedding reception as a friend of a family member was telling me about an alien abduction he had. I tried my best to eat my chicken and drink my beer as he went on and on about the occasion. There is nothing

A flash fiction story can turn an ordinary conversation into something memorable and surprising. In “The Happy Man,” Greg Luti follows an office worker who has a strange encounter with a stranger mourning the death of the happiest man he ever knew — a man who found genuine joy in something as ordinary as paying his taxes on time. As I was busy running around the office, filling papers and typing up reports, I realized I had not gotten to the bathroom all morning. For some rea

Greg Luti’s flash fiction “The Black Eye” introduces Tommy V. — the nicest, wittiest, and most charming guy in town — until he shows up with a mysterious black eye that leaves everyone wondering what really happened behind that easy smile. Tommy V. is one of the nicest guys around town and is someone that you and just about anyone would be happy to meet. Yeah, the guy has the wit to say anything to make the room feel at ease. A charm that can’t be taught. Sure, he had smarts,

A flash fiction story can turn a simple prank into a funny meditation on aging and fame. In “Jeans,” Greg Luti follows an aging actor who is tricked by his agent into filming a quirky Levi’s commercial opposite Beyoncé, leading to witty reflections on Hollywood absurdity and getting older. I have a really weird relationship with my agent. I mean, I have known the guy for 20 years or whatever, but he doesn't talk to me like I am a client. That is how long it has been, I guess.

Greg Luti’s flash fiction “Tastes Like Pigeon” follows two longtime friends in a quiet car ride after work — one avoiding going home, the other exhausted — as their seemingly casual small talk slowly reveals deeper, unspoken tensions between them. I sat in the front seat of my car as my friend, Stu sat in the passenger seat eating his lunch. I was picking him up from his job, and so I got him a cheeseburger and fries. I wasn’t all that hungry, so I only got myself a soda. Ins

A flash fiction story can reveal true heroism in unexpected places. In “The Ovation,” Greg Luti follows an outsider at a high school football game who assumes Redman is a legendary athlete — only to discover a quiet hero who shaped countless lives as a dedicated teacher and coach. On a cool Friday night, the high school football game bleachers were filled with local people from town, there for the ceremony of the various individuals at halftime as much as the game itself. The

Greg Luti’s flash fiction “Peanut Butter Question” follows an SAT instructor who encounters a bizarre test question suggesting that romantic compatibility might actually be determined by whether someone prefers smooth or crunchy peanut butter. I teach the SAT, and during it, the students are given questions that seem so unusual, that I have to take a second to comprehend what it is I am saying to this kid, as I am trying to teach a lesson for a question, something like how to

Greg Luti’s flash fiction “William Meets Alexander” follows two men from very different worlds who cross paths in an ordinary moment — a brief, charged encounter that quietly challenges everything they believe about status and success. “Are you the king who is known to walk across oceans and beat armies of all sizes? Even other kings envy you, I hear.” “I come for the book I had asked for some time ago.” “Oh, that was you? I thought it was the other Alex…”

Greg Luti’s flash fiction “Robot Draft” follows Frederick, leader of a robot army fighting mankind, as he holds a very human-like strategy meeting with his cabinet — complete with bureaucratic talk and chess-master tactics. The leader of the robot army, Frederick, leading a resistance against mankind, sits at a meeting with his cabinet to discuss plans to move in the war. At the meeting is his assistant, responsible for any menial tasks he needs completed, the money robot, Be

Greg Luti’s quiet flash fiction “The White Room” follows two janitors — an older, experienced one and a recent high school graduate — as they unwind in a sparse white room after cleaning up for a party. Two janitors end their day as one contemplates life and the other thinks about dinner. Dan and Carlos were done cleaning the parts of the small facility of a few rooms for the night. The main room had been set up for the party tomorrow. The floors have been washed. All the tab

Greg Luti’s flash fiction “Why I Am Psychic” follows a man who claims he can predict the future — but his so-called psychic gift turns out to be something far more ordinary, awkward, and hilariously human than anyone expects. I don’t believe in psychics. I am not the type of guy who is interested in any of that new-age bs you hear from amateurs on social media who can barely keep a job. No thanks, is what I say when I hear of them predicting the future with their so-called kn

Greg Luti’s flash fiction preview “Unusual Pattern” follows a manager who keeps noticing the same strange pattern: young male employees suddenly quit with no warning and no complaints at all. I noticed an unusual pattern where I work, most of the guys in their 20s leave without much of a hint or heads-up to the other boss or me. One day, the man will walk in, say he is going to quit, and that is that. Sure, some of them say they can still be on the schedule for the next week

A flash fiction story can playfully reinterpret a classic novel. In “Gatsby Dies at the End,” Greg Luti follows a teacher who jokingly tells a student that The Great Gatsby is all a dream — only for the student to later repeat the same playful theory to his own English teacher. I am a pretty easygoing teacher, the kind of teacher who will look at the cover of Romeo and Juliet when the class begins and tell the kid that Romeo and Juliet die. I’d add a little note that Tybalt i

A flash fiction story can deliver sharp irony at a deathbed. In “Death of Michael Veil,” Greg Luti follows a detached legal consultant at the final moments of a renowned self-help philosopher — a man famous for preaching inner strength and self-determinism — only to witness a quietly ironic ending. Michael Veil was supposed to be dead when I got there. I was only there to sign some documents of his life away after he died. I wasn't supposed to see him die. In fact, I didn't k