22 Comments

Whoa. This was brilliant!!!! Def took turns I didn’t expect! Damn dude. You’re a wonderful writer.

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Ah, thanks mate! Means a lot ❤️

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I gotta learn from ya haha

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Lol honestly this story just sort of fell in my lap! Think I need help lol.

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So twisted. I really need to get my hands on that joke book.

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You may have to stick it back together 🤷‍♂️

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I really enjoy when a story subverts my expectations. Every time I thought I knew the direction this was headed, it changed course and kept me guessing. 👏

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Thanks William. Glad you enjoyed it.

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Anyone else get the sense that Stephen was warning writers??? “There is no shortcut to the top, and jealousy can drive you to madness if you let it.” 🫣🤔

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🤣🤣 speaking from the heart

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I feel like you wrote this for us (me)… Being a part of The Substack Zone event is testing my ability to take heed of your warning!

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God, tell me about it! Some of them are just infuriatingly-good!

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So many wonderful twists. Like Stanley, the moment you thought you had worked out where this story was going it suddenly yanked you in a new, unexpected direction. Really enjoyed reading this!

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Thank you Nick! The whole Substack Zone thing made this a fun one to write ❤️

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Great story, superb writing, and feels center of the target for the Twilight Zone vibe. I could easily see this as part of the Season 1 lineup. Great stuff, man.

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Thanks Shane! The idea just sort of landed in my lap, felt like luck in a way 🤷‍♂️❤️

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Really enjoyed this one, Stephen!! That took a few turns I definitely wasn't expecting!! (also that almost happened to me one time at a comedy club 👁️👁️)

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Thanks Adam! And oh wow, I need to hear more about that 😂

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It was creepy and surreal, it would make a great episode of TV. 📺

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Ah thanks Reda! I'd love to see it appear on TV one day 🤞🏻❤️

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Whoa! The twists in reality were great! Gave me that slipping, sliding feeling of madness. Poor Stanley!

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Thanks Liz! Yup, poor Stanley. Was he ever a comedian, even a failing one?

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