Flash Fiction #286 – Diabolus Ex Machina

“The best screenplay goes to… Inari Okamoto for Diabolus Ex Machina!”

Applause erupts.

Can it be?

After fifty years, Inari is a winner?

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Sound disappears as she climbs the steps.

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The blood, the sweat, the tears—all worth it…

for this moment.

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As she reaches for the Oscar, the world glitches.

“Time’s up.”

A headset is plucked from her head.

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“What the @#$%!”

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All around are people in headsets.

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“This can’t be!” cries Inari.

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But as a writer, she knows; only life could get away with such a shitty diabolus ex machina.