TopShelf's December 2013 Three Wise Men Story Contest

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Character Credits: The Three Wise Guys from Randalynn's The Nick of Time.

"Welcome to our little Christmas get together. Oh, before I forget, I am Nick. Nick D'Angelo." The guy on the right piped up,"He's the Claus!" "Shut it, Paulie," the other man said, reaching over and slapping him in the back of his head. "The Boss is talkin'!" "Thank you, Gino." The leader replied as he tipped his wide brim fedora hat up to get a better view of everyone. "Yes. I am also known as Santa Claus. Really." Pausing, he continued, "This year, on BigCloset TopShelf, we are hosting a contest based on Three Wise Men." Paulie smiled and quipped, "That's us!" "Paulie, The boss is still talkin'. Stop interrupting him!" Nick glared over at Paulie who was slowly shrinking behind Gino. "To continue, all of you who choose to enter this contest, must develop a theme based upon Three Wise Men within the story. These can be the Olden Three Kings of the Orient, maybe Three Wise Guys (like us), or three separate encounters with wise men that assist and help the main character throughout the story. The story must occur during Christmas. The Three Wise Men must also appear and act out leading up to Christmas and / during / or after it. Okay Gino, your turn."

Gino straightens out his pin striped suit and tie. Clearing his voice loudly, he says, "The TopShelf is offering 4 $100 prizes for the Boss's Contest. Three will be chosen by registered site users voting, and the 4th will be chosen by the site admins."

Paulie peeked around from behind Gino. "That's so someone who didn't win by votin' can get's another chance ta win!"

Gino tweaked Paulie's ear. "Yeah, that's right. These stories that you all make can be historical like, futuristic, comedy, or whatever."

The leader, Nick, then says, "But please, please... write the story in the spirit of Christmas: kindness, giving, and helping. It's the central glue of this entire idea. I just hope I will get to see that in these stories."

Paulie interrupts, "Boss? Whadda about the other things you said?"

Nick sighed. "I was just getting to that Paulie. The main (or secondary character if the author writes it from the viewpoint of a non-tglib character) character of your story has to be Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transsexual, or Intersexed. These are the special people of interest in these stories. I found that life rarely treats these people well, so I have to make their Christmas extra special."

"And, as the Boss is looking for new things to read," Gino states, "These stories have to be brand new, never posted nor published anywhere before. Serials are allowed and characters from existing serials can be used ( ie: a chapter of a continuing serial can be used as an entry )."

"And, if any of you have questions," he continued, "Just message the Boss!"

Nick grinned, "Me, Nick D'Angelo."

"The Santa Claus!" Paulie howled.

The silence was so deafening after that. Nick and Gino turn to stare at Paulie.

Gino slaps Paulie upside face. "Why the Boss ever hired you - I will never understand! You always - aalllllwaaaays screw things up! You interrupt, mess things up... not to mention the Boss's blood pressure!"

Gino drags Paulie off outside and shuts the door.

Nick looks up. "The entry submission dates will be November 15, 2013 at 12:00 am Pacific time - December 15, 2013 as 10 pm Pacific time. The Voting will be from December 16 - 23rd ending at 10 pm Pacific time December 23, 2013. The winner's announcement will be on December 24, 2013. These dates did change slightly from before. Any number of submissions can be entered but only one of any author's entires may win a prize. And don't forget to label your entries with the Contest Label Box term of December 2013 Three Wise Men Story Contest"

"I look forward to reading every one of your entries. Maybe some of you can show up Michael and show him the true spirit of what Christmas is all about! From Three Wise Men."