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You can submit one story to our themed opening (COFFEE) and one to our un-themed opening. All stories must be speculative and 100 words. We’ll be open through February 15, 2026. See our full guidelines here.

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Clean Sweep

By: John Pettett

It’s been a great day. Sold almost the whole lot. Bikes, surfboards, paint, tools. Holy smoke, the stuff we had was embarrassing. Just one, never-been-used, broom to go.

“This should be perfect,” says a sweet, small voice at my elbow. Looking down, I see a silver-haired, kind-faced lady just four feet tall.

“Would you mind if I test it first, dear?” she asks.

“It’s just a broom,” I stutter, a tad confused.

“Please, young man,” she implores, disarmingly.

And off she goes, over the rooftops and into the setting sun, never to be seen again.

Dammit. I’m out three bucks.

© 2025. John Pettett

John Pettett is a Sydney based writer active in Writing NSW and affiliated writing groups. He often engages with philosophical and whimsical themes through character-driven narratives.

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