The
Forum Awards 4
Welcome
to the fourth annual Forum Awards! Even though things have changed, this
feature is still popular and one of the most searched-for features at the
Scoop.
Instead
of a Eugene-Speak contest, a new type of contest was created. Using episode
titles, each participant had to write a creative story about Odyssey. Each entry is
placed in descending order based on ranking, and the three top winners' entrees have been
commented. Let the Episode-Speak begin!
Episode-Speak
Awards (September/October 2002)
SUBMISSION
6th of 6
By
Ryan Schalm (Alberta)
THE DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS, RUMOR HAS IT, CONNIE nearly MISSED IT BY THAT MUCH. A MEMBER OF THE FAMILY BURIED SIN, THE ONE ABOUT TRUST, FASTER THAN A SPEEDING TICKET. "THE DEVIL MADE ME DO IT," said THE BAD GUY. THE GRADUATE knew to EXPECT THE WORST witnessing, but it went EXACTLY AS PLANNED, NOTHING TO FEAR. "AFRAID, NOT! ...IT ENDED WITH A HANDSHAKE," CONNIE said OVER THE AIRWAVES. "NO, HONESTLY! It took 500 tries, though. GO YE THEREFORE, AND WHEN YOU PRAY... HOLD UP! I'm not finished! FOR THINE IS THE KINGDOM, THE POWER, AND THE GLORY FOREVER... AMEN!" (EXIT)
SUBMISSION
5th of 6
By
Michelle Obenchain (Idaho)
Connie found Robyn at a booth with her sister, Melanie. They were talking about a FAMILY VACATION they were going to take. "I sure hope they don't have STORMY WEATHER," Robyn said. "Now that would be a TEST FOR ROBYN," Melanie told Connie, "because Robyn wants to TREASURE HUNT." "How long will you be GONE?" Connie asked. "Because I want you to write to me. You know, I could be your PEN PAL?" Robyn considered this. "Okay, CONNIE." Robyn decided. Meanwhile, Eugene was assisting several people, including one girl named CLARA. "Greetings and salutations, Clara," Eugene told her. "May I assist you in any way?" Clara nodded. "I am playing HIDE AND SEEK with Mandy and I want to know if you have a place to hide." "No, I am terribly sorry, but I do not have a place in which to conceal you. Now, if that's all, I will assist THE OTHER WOMAN over there." Eugene almost bumped into Whit as he came down from THE TREASURE ROOM. "THE TOWER display upstairs isn't working properly. Could you take a look at it, Eugene?" "Of course, Mr. Whittaker," Eugene answered. "I shall RETURN TO THE BIBLE ROOM
post haste!" Whit smiled. "It's always busy the DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS! And I hope our NEW YEAR'S EVE LIVE program goes over smoothly. THANK YOU GOD, for all the blessings you've given us." He returned to his work.
SUBMISSION
4th of 6
By
Fletcher
Zachary sat in THE IMAGINATION STATION thinking of the several CHOICES before
him. He could make THE RIGHT CHOICE, and get out of the machine, or could give in to pushing the red button, UNDER THE INFLUENCE of the devil. If he pushed the red button he would
receive A TOUCH OF HEALING, or so it seemed. But he had made a promise with his mother never to try the healing program again "PROMISES, PROMISES," whispered Zachary angrily. The promises he sometimes made with his mother were RELATIVELY ANNOYING. He knew
that Mr. Allen would say "WHEN IN DOUBT... PRAY! Then JUST SAY YES to whatever God's answer is." But Zachary knew THE DECISION God would make, and he didn't like it. Besides, he wasn't a
Christian - yet. And being a
Christian can make ALL THE DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD if you're making a decision like this. Zachary continued this battle in his head
until he was almost to the BREAKING POINT. It seemed that both the good and bad decisions wore SHINING
ARMOR, and when the decisions thought, that kept clanging together. Then he thought about how people reacted when the found out THE TRUTH ABOUT ZACHARY. They never wanted to hang out with him when they found out he was in a
wheel chair. They didn't want to have anything to do with him. He finally made up his mind. He gave INTO TEMPTATION and pushed the red button. As the station started to speed up and Zachary and his wheelchair were thrown about a wave of guilt passed over him and he knew to EXPECT THE WORST.
SUBMISSION
3rd of 6
-
3rd
Place!
By
Jeff (Virginia)
Dear Journal,
Jimmy Barclay here. I am going to write in you about my FAMILY VACATION. I am going to give you my RECOLLECTIONS of my trip.
Our family lives in Ohio and we are going through the eastern U.S, so this may take a while.
First we went to Kentucky. There we met a girl named KAREN. She ran a shop called THE
W.E. Very nice shop, lots of candy there, so
I got some. Then I had a DENTAL DILEMMA! Yep, my teeth fell out. Well to be specific, one tooth came out.
It was a candy apple. That was ONE BAD APPLE. That’s THE TROUBLE WITH
GIRLS. She said I would be fine, but no. Okay, next stop was West Virginia.
There was a parade going on where we were and when we asked someone why, the person said that some girl named CONNIE COMES TO TOWN today.
We found out later she was a senator and won by A SINGLE VOTE. Nothing else remotely
interesting happened while we were in West Virginia. So next state is
Pennsylvania. RUMOR HAS IT the president is coming here today, but I can tell you right now journal, never trust rumors!
While we were there it felt like we had a HEATWAVE come through. So far this was not going to be OUR BEST VACATION EVER.
While staying in Pennsylvania we met a bellhop named jimmy. What a coincidence.
We got A MISSION FOR JIMMY. To find out why we are having this heatwave. He came through wonderfully.
He came back and gave us some mumbo jumbo about a weather patterns. He also thought that he would get something for his trouble but
Dad had no change on him and says "thank you very much," but I don't have anything.
Then jimmy stormed out and said "THAT'S NOT FAIR!" and Dad closed the door.
I guess we won’t be THE VERY BEST OF FRIENDS. Early the next morning we were off to
New York. Very beautiful state. While passing by, we saw a lake frozen over and saw someone ICE FISHING.
It looked like fun but Mom and Dad said no way. We have had nothing but BAD LUCK so far this trip.
Donna has been really annoying this trip. She kicked me about 20 times now and I had to tell
Dad. But of course there are TWO SIDES TO EVERY STORY. Donna told her side and I told mine. NO HONESTLY
Dad, she kicked me. Doth mine and Donna's sides were both dismissed and we continued our trip.
Next stop was New Jersey. That part of our vacation was not fun. We had tons of STORMY WEATHER.
Probably EAST WINDS, RAINING. And don’t forget the FLASH FLOOD. I asked
Dad if those were the worst storms he had ever seen. Dad said “IT SURE SEEMED LIKE IT TO ME.”
so next was Maryland. I was getting hungry so I had A BITE OF APPLESAUCE. CURIOUS ISN’T IT? how
I only needed one bite of applesauce to tide me over.
Maryland had a huge train that only went around city. I asked Dad if we could get a TRAIN RIDE but he said no.
But as we were driving by the train my favorite show came OVER THE AIRWAVES. THE TWILIFE ZONE.
So we listened to that, and just as it went over we were out of range and into
Virginia. Now this was the last stop on our trip because we had almost run out of summer.
So this stop had to be the most fun we ever had. We ate in the hotel that night and said the together “OUR FATHER which art in heaven, HALLOWED BE THY NAME. THY KINGDOM COME, THY WILL BE DONE, ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN. Give us this day OUR DAILY BREAD and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not INTO TEMPTATION, but DELIVER US FROM EVIL, FOR THINE IS THE KINGDOM, and THE POWER AND THE GLORY, FOREVER AMEN.
I love it when the whole family says that together. it always makes us feel thankful for what we have.
The next morning Donna and I had a rousing chess game going. I was GATHERING THUNDER.
I had suffered many HARD LOSSES to her but this time it was going to be different.
I was going to win! I thought to myself one more move and THE TIME HAS COME to put her in CHECKMATE.
But she made a move I didn’t expect and she had ANOTHER CHANCE. So I used THE LAST RESORT.
It was THE FINAL CONFLICT before I beat her! But Mom and Dad didn’t give me enough time to baste in my glory.
They said it was time to go home. It was a long journey but we made it, and I think that OUR BEST VACATION EVER does not apply here.
But it was fun in some spots but I am now glad to be home.
Why
the Award Is Given: Jeff, I was surprised to see your incorporation of
the state of Virginia into your story! Your story is pretty believable,
yet you may want to work on your usage of tenses in the future. Other than
that, your story was worth the 3rd Place position and I look forward to
seeing more entrees from you in the future. Congratulations!
SUBMISSION
2nd of 6
-
2nd
Place!
By
Trina (Ohio)
It's the DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS and
ISAAC THE INSECURE is a MISSING PERSON. He's been GONE once before, so this will be his SECOND COMING. BY
DAWN'S EARLY LIGHT
Isaac comes home, along with THE PRODIGAL JIMMY. THE HOMECOMING is a TEST FOR
ROBYN. Robin has missed the boys, and welcomes them back to their HOME SWEET HOME. According to
ISAAC THE TRUE FRIEND this is the TROUBLE WITH GIRLS. Jimmy finds his father and then turns to
ISAAC THE COURAGEOUS, since they were THE VERY BEST OF FRIENDS and asked him, "WHERE'S YOUR DADDY?".
ISAAC THE BENEVOLENT responded, "Well, they say LIKE FATHER LIKE SON". I suppose he left when the weather man said "EAST WINDS RAINING". since the weather man had
gotten to be MAYOR for a day, Mr. Morton got fed up, because he was ROOM MATES with the weather man.
ISAAC THE PURE later found out that his father left when the weather man announced a FLASH FLOOD. When Mrs. Barclay asked where they had been they told her: We went on a TRAIN RIDE and
got WAYLAID IN THE WINDY CITY. after a long wait we found out we were the LAST IN A LONG LINE to get on another train. We supposed to get on a different one, but they couldn't figure out WHATEVER HAPPENED TO SILVER STREAK. We stopped in Alaska to go ICE FISHING and get a LICENSE TO DRIVE. After going on a MIDNIGHT RIDE we got in DOUBLE TROUBLE we both had a BAD HAIR DAY. Finding a hair dressers she told us "IT IS WELL, with your hair. be AFRAID NOT." We told her "BAD
ISN'T SO GOOD" but she assured us that our hair was fine. We were glad for the FIRST HAND EXPERIENCE we got on our LONG WAY HOME.
THE FUNDAMENTALS of traveling are REWARDS IN FULL. When you're traveling you can't judge
A BOOK BY IT'S COVER. While at a restaurant they announced, "A CALL FOR REVEREND JIMMY", but not knowing anyone of the name, we headed on.
"It was a good thing I had a TOUCH OF HEALING HIDDEN IN MY HEART," said
Isaac while describing how he was a PRETTY GOOD SAMARITAN when he found GEORGE UNDER PRESSURE, lying on the road. and so THE DECISION was make to come home.
RECOLLECTIONS of this journey will stay with the boys FOREVER, AMEN. This being THE LAST GREAT ADVENTURE OF THE SUMMER, the missed BACK TO SCHOOL. This did not sit well with the weather man, so he announced some STORMY WEATHER. After the boys went to Whit's house and hear about MONTY'S CHRISTMAS they said good night, prayed for PEACE ON EARTH and
ISAAC THE PROCRASTINATOR declared that this was "OUR BEST VACATION EVER". they took THE VOW of THE STAR, and spent the night at
TIMMY'S CABIN.
Why
the Award Is Given: Congratulations, Trina, for making it this far in
the race! Your piece was pretty interesting, even though some parts of it
didn't flow as smoothly. Your sense of aimless storytelling made me decide
to award you for your creativity. I hope you enjoy your FIFTEEN MINUTES of
fame! Get it?
SUBMISSION
1st of 6
-
1st
Place!
By
Sapphira Fear
Nick
Mulligan looked up from his grimy job of cleaning the soda counter as the
bell over the front door jingled. A MYSTERIOUS STRANGER walked in through the
door. FASTER THAN A SPEEDING TICKET Nick welcomed the man, but informed him
that in FIFTEEN MINUTES the shop would close and soon there would be LIGHTS
OUT AT WHIT'S END. The man nodded his head in understanding and asked if Whit
was around.
"AFRAID, NOT!" Nick answered. "He's WAYLAID IN THE WINDY CITY,
if you know what I mean. Won't be back for a couple of days."
"Oh, ok," said the man, then asked Nick how CONNIE was doing.
"Oh, she's doing great." Nick answered, yet curious as to who this
guy was and how he knew these people. Nick continued, "Yeah, about now
she's on a date with her Knight in SHINING ARMOR-"
"Robert Mitchell, right?" the man interjected.
"Uh... yeah. Mitch." Nick affirmed as the man leaned against the
counter and looked around Whit's End.
"This place changes every time I come in here," he said aloud to no
one in particular. Then looking over his shoulder at Nick, he said "I
hope after EUGENE'S DILEMMA with Andromeda he's had time to relax."
"No kidding," Nick exclaimed as he put the remainder of the dishes
in the dishwasher. "He's been GONE for so long, I wonder if he'll ever
come back to Odyssey."
"Yeah, he'll have to lay low for a while until he knows whether or not
to come back."
Closing the door to the dishwasher and starting it, Nick walked over to the
as-yet-to-be-named-man and said "Y'know, I don't want to sound like I'm giving you the THIRD DEGREE,
but
how do you know Mr. Whittaker and the others? I haven't seen you around
before, and believe me, in a town this size I would have."
"Odyssey's my hometown," the man began. "I lived a somewhat
normal life. But then I got involved with some BAD COMPANY and did some stupid
things. Whit helped me to redeem myself and we became THE VERY BEST OF
FRIENDS."
"Sounds like a good story." Nick stated.
"It's a long one, but maybe I'll tell it to you when I have more time.
But now, I must make my EXIT," the man said as he straightened up
from leaning against the counter.
Nick looked at his watch and noticed it read 9:00,closing time. He looked
back up as the man offered his hand, in which Nick shook.
"It was nice getting to meet you, Nick Mulligan," the man said.
"Of course it was." Nick smiled then stopped himself. "Hey,
how
did you know my name?"
"Just because I've been a MISSING PERSON around Odyssey for a while,
doesn't mean I don't know anything." the man said as he started
for the door.
"Wait!" Nick called out as the man stood with one foot out the
door. He turned as Nick asked, "Do you want me to give a message to Mr.
Whittaker or the others if I see them?"
"Yeah," the man called back. "Tell them RUMOR HAS IT I might come back to
Odyssey, but I can't make any PROMISES, PROMISES. And... well, just
tell them I said 'hi' and I miss them, ok?"
"I will." Nick said.
"Thanks." the man said as he went out the door. Realizing he forgot something else, Nick called out "Just one more
thing?!"
"Yes?" the man grinned as he spun on his heel and came back
inside.
"I never did ask your name. It would be easier telling the gang who it
was that stopped by while they were out." Nick remarked.
"Oh right, my name..." the man realized. "My name is...wait, is
there anything else you need from me?"
"Hmm? Um, no... nothing else." Nick assured with a grin.
"Ok then," the man said as he left Whit's End "Just tell them
Richard Maxwell was here, ok?"
"GOTCHA!" Nick affirmed.
Why
the Award Is Given: Wow, Sapphira! Not only did you follow and
understand the requirements of the Episode-Speak Awards, you also have an
unusual writing style! Your work went above and beyond what I had been
expecting from an AIO fan. I could feel a sense of tension the characters
were feeling throughout your story, and yet I could also detect a nice man
in THE MYSTERIOUS STRANGER of your story. So in conclusion, you won first
place and I plan on hearing from you more in future Forum Awards!
Congratulations, Sapphira!
Thank
you all for participating. You all were very creative in the ways you
approached your short stories. I look forward to our next Ceremony!
Jacob
Isom
"The
Judge"
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