Stories. Enjoy!

  • Start Here

    New to Five Minute Observations? Welcome. I’m Joe Class III, and I write stories and essays about what I notice, the encounters that reveal something true, and the moments that stick with you after they’re gone. If you’re just getting started, these three pieces will give you a sense of what this space is about:…

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  • Cham Shows Up

    “Brrr!” Sandy exclaimed, voice quivering. Rubbing her arms vigorously, she did her best, chasing goosebumps erupting like tiny mountains on her pale white arms. Skin-to-skin friction didn’t seem to help much. “What, brrr, Sandy?” Trent asked, lowering his sunglasses just enough to peer at his girlfriend. His expression of concern and amusement flickered across his…

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  • Can’t Do It.

    “Just drop me off at the dispensary.” Take the job. Drive for fun and profit. You love to drive. Why the hell not? It won’t ever be crazy. You won’t be asked strange, weird things. It’ll be fine and normal. You live in a small town. You are far enough from Los Angeles unless you…

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  • “Who dat?” Greg held the phone away from his face, staring at the timer showing the call connecting with the other end for more than fifteen minutes. The number on the screen? 911. “I saaid, who der?” Greg stammered, “Um, hi.” “Honey, I ain’t got all daaay, you know? Whachu needin’?” “Did I call 911?…

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  • “Did you know there’s a true story behind Wes Craven’s Nightmare on Elm Street?” Rachel’s gaze was fixed on the eerie sight across the street, an abandoned home that seemed to echo the horrors of the film. Overgrown with weeds, a once-white picket fence leaned precariously, sagging out towards the street, looking like it might…

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  • “He’s snoring,” Jared complained. “Like loud snoring.” “Wait,” Kent asked. “Don’t the two of you share an office?” “What of it? It’s not like he gives a crap about the job. It’s almost as if he’s hoping they fire him. Can’t figure it out to save my life.” “What do you guys do over there…

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  • “Seraphina, you can’t be serious!” Alexander’s voice boomed through the tavern, his fists clenched in frustration. Six men. Four women. That was the council and Seraphina? She was the natural choice to lead Veritaville. Alexander, a natural-born leader and herder of goats on the outskirts of their village, protested Seraphina’s announcement. “I thought we were…

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  • A sunset sky. The reddish tint discolors a few bodies intertwined on the dance floor. One bright overhead light moves over each couple, some dancing while others lock lips. The soft music plays while everyone sways in time to Crazy for You, by Madonna. Late into the evening, these teens are getting tired from all…

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  • Human beings are dying every day in our country. Focusing on real issues instead of highlighting the opioid crisis, fentanyl, and substance abuse disorder, is what is your life worth? The correct answer is saving lives, right? So, what costs more lives in the United States? Is it Cancer? Heart disease? Or is it fentanyl?…

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  • What’s It Worth?

    In 2023, the opioid crisis claimed over 100,000 lives. That’s one family without a mom or dad, a brother or sister, a niece or nephew, or a close friend, fiancé, husband, or wife. One hundred thousand people dead. What’s the cost of leaving countless families in mourning, dealing with the aftermath of trauma and grief?…

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  • Lila Leaves Flibberflop

    “Did you ever wonder what it would be like?” Lila asked Glitters. “What it would be like? You mean?” her talking horse, resembling a unicorn, looked down below, disgusted by the mere mention of ‘earth.’ “Um, down there? Yeah. No way. Nothing doing. Look how much fun it is to just float. I mean, down…

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