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Three-Minute Fiction: Round 10 Stories For Round 10, guest judge Mona Simpson asked for original short fiction in the form of a voice mail message.

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Three-Minute Fiction: Round 10 Stories

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Three-Minute Fiction: The Round 10 Winner Is ...

Lisa Rubenson of Charlotte, N.C., wrote our Round 10 winning story, "Sorry for Your Loss." Courtesy of Lisa Rubenson hide caption

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Courtesy of Lisa Rubenson

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Three-Minute Fiction: The Round 10 Winner Is ...

March 9, 2013 • Did you leave a message after our prompt? For Round 10 of Three-Minute Fiction, we asked you to submit a short story in the form of a voice mail message.

Sorry For Your Loss

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Sorry For Your Loss

March 9, 2013 • Hi, it's me — Christine. I can't believe you still have this number. That I still remember it. But there's your voice on the machine ... like no time has passed. I'm so sorry for your loss, Nick, for your mom. Can anyone else hear this? [PRESS # TO ERASE AND RERECORD YOUR MESSAGE]

Everything's Under Control

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Everything's Under Control

March 7, 2013 • YOU HAVE ... TWO ... NEW MESSAGES. Pickup sis. It's me ... Listen, I'm in jail — but I'm not asking for bail this time. I just need you to make some phone calls since I only get the one. First, call the administrative offices at the zoo, tell them the baby elephant is not missing.

The Escape

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The Escape

March 3, 2013 • Hey, Julia ......... it's me ....... Kind of glad you're not picking up — this'll be easier. Maybe. So. Here goes. I'm going to ask you to do something for me. It's not an ordinary best friend kind of favor — God, I wish it was. I wish I just needed you to pick up my dry cleaning or something ...

Three Little Words

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Three Little Words

March 3, 2013 • Hi, sweetie. I don't really want to say this on a message, but I just can't wait any longer. You know how we were snuggled up under the blanket in the park last week? Yeah, that was nice. Our six-month anniversary.

Call Me?

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Call Me?

March 2, 2013 • The llama was not my fault. Don't hang up! You probably hung up. How long is a voice mail message? Three minutes? Look, you're going to have to call me back. There is no way I'm gonna be able to explain everything in three minutes. You're not gonna call me back.

Leave Me In London

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Leave Me In London

March 2, 2013 • You're sleeping, I know. That's why I'm calling. I'm staring at the old Spitalfields church and someone is playing a bagpipe on a roof across the street. I never even wanted to enter a church before we came here. Now I'm crying in every cathedral. It's London, this city.

After The Tone

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After The Tone

February 24, 2013 • First of all, I'm not sure you know this, but there's no need for you to say, "Leave a message after the tone," because the automated woman says that immediately after you. It's redundant. I thought you should know.

Space-Time Capsule

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Space-Time Capsule

February 24, 2013 • Hey, sweets. It's me. Found your note in the crisper. So sneaky! Glad to know you'll miss me more than fresh produce even when you're facing a year's worth of dehydrated broccoli and beefish bits. Spam! Made me smile. And sad. Did you hide more?

Chubby Bunny

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Chubby Bunny

February 23, 2013 • Hey mom, it's Kelsey, sorry for calling so late. I'm kinda glad you didn't answer though, this is will be easier if I can just let my words dribble out without any interruption.

Voice Mail Is For Suckers

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Voice Mail Is For Suckers

February 23, 2013 • Dude, yeah. It's me. Look, what is the deal? Where are you? You haven't responded to a single email. Everyone is worried, man. We checked your Facebook and you haven't updated your status in a week. A freaking week. You haven't even liked anything. And you like everything. Like. Like. Like.

It's Not OK To Act This Way

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It's Not OK To Act This Way

February 17, 2013 • Hi Mom, it's me, I guess you're out. I'm trying to follow this recipe and I was hoping you would know what I could substitute for a half cup of butter. I figure probably oil or something but it would be nice to know from someone who has first hand experience.

You Have Reached Sarah Wellman

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You Have Reached Sarah Wellman

February 17, 2013 • Oh, um, hey Sarah, this is Brad Davis from Slingshot and, um, I'm pleased — Hold on: your greeting there on your voice mail kind of threw me off. Did it seriously say "you have reached Sarah Wellman. Please leave a message"? It did, didn't it? Wow.

Call From The Cabin

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Call From The Cabin

February 16, 2013 • Hey Jimmy, it's Kevin. Pick up if you're there. We just pulled up to your cabin. What? Oh. Ellen says hi. Annie too, but she's sleeping in her car seat. Anyway, it's pitch black. No lights on in the cabin. You said you'd leave the porch light on.

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