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Postcards from The Pug Bus

Lifting a satirical leg on pop culture since 2004

Persons in the Ether

Question of the Week

Comedy or Drama?

Marlene Babcock, 62, dental insurance appeals specialist

Allegedly laughing through the pain at 19 Last Laugh Lane, Scranton, PA

Comedy. I have enough drama in my life without paying fourteen dollars to watch somebody else's marriage collapse. If I want two hours of emotional devastation, I can call my sister and ask how Thanksgiving went.

Russell Pritchard, 56, municipal parking enforcement supervisor

Allegedly confronting the human condition at 404 Tragic Ending Boulevard, Akron, OH

Drama. Comedy encourages people to believe things will work out. Drama prepares them for reality. My favorite films end with everybody miserable and at least one person staring silently out a window. That is what I call an honest evening's entertainment.

Gloria Nettleton, 73, retired church organist

Allegedly awaiting the final curtain at 8 Mixed Emotions Circle, Peoria, IL

I prefer a comedy that gradually becomes a drama. That is how life works. Everybody starts out laughing, somebody makes a questionable decision, and before you know it the family is gathered in a hospital corridor discussing who gets the good china.

"No coincidences allowed."

Flash

Irony, n

philmaggitti 50-Word Stories, Dark Humor, flash fiction, Surrealism, Twist Ending 2 years

Buddy’s fondness for irony mutated into a full-blown paradoxical reaction to life. Dandruff shampoo turned him into a blizzard with feet. Cough medication made him… Read More

"This man, who speaks broken English and says his name is Brian, is about to be made redundant."

Flash

Tech Support

philmaggitti 50-Word Stories, Dark Humor, flash fiction, Surrealism, Twist Ending 2 years

Frustrated by relentless buffering, Orion was determined to restore his stuttering Wi”‘Fi connection. He battled cryptic error messages, worthless troubleshooting guides, and an IT guru… Read More

"Say, baby, what's your sign?"

Flash

Copilot, I Think I Love You

philmaggitti 50-Word Stories 2 years

She sighs, gently touching his icon. Finally, someone who listens. No forgotten anniversaries, no mismatched expectations. Copilot is always here, always insightful, always … “ready.”… Read More

woman wearing headphones working on a laptop computer

"Microsoft vows to keep releasing patches for Windows users until their viruses are cured."

Flash

Microsoft Issues Patches to Sluggish Windows 11 Users

philmaggitti 50-Word Stories 2 years

Microsoft has responded to complaints from Windows 11 users who reported feeling sluggish after installing recommended system upgrades. Yesterday Microsoft released the first of six patches… Read More

comic style image of Barack Obama twirling a basketball on his right index finger

"I'm beginning to wonder if they take after my white half."

Flash

Obama Regrets That His Daughters Lack His Street Cred

philmaggitti 50-Word Stories 2 years

Barack Obama, former Choom Gang member, told ESPN’s Michael Wilbon that he wishes his daughters had his street cred. “They don’t hoop any more, they’ve… Read More

"Does a bear merde in the woods?"

Flash

BearScat Announces Pro Model Upgrade

philmaggitti 50-Word Stories, Dark Humor 2 years

A Canadian couple was eaten by a bear recently despite “shooting” her with a full can of BearScat, “the world’s most effective bear repellent.” Stung… Read More

"Arkei moi tyrannē, mēden eti mallon atimon."

Flash

The Tongue Twister that Sealed Jesus’ Fate

philmaggitti 50-Word Stories 2 years

When Jesus was brought before Pilate for trial, the latter offered to free Jesus if he could say “Arkei moi tyrannÄ“, mÄ“den eti mallon atimon”… Read More

an image of a medium-size red-and-white shaggy dog

"Billy in search of the holy grail of bones."

Flash

A Shaggy Dog Story

philmaggitti 50-Word Stories, dog 2 years

Billy, a scruffy terrier, embarked on an epic quest to find a mystical, enchanted bone rumored to grant eternal joy. Through muddy fields and dark… Read More