The "Bold Crew" Contest? #TimsColdBrewStories

The "Bold Crew" Contest?

"You're ordering a Cold Brew? I thought we were Ice Capp loyalists."

"I need it for inspiration. You know, for the writing contest." We sat at our usual spot.

"A contest... for Tim Horton's?" She slurped, eyeing me. "What are you writing about?"

"It can be anything, as long as the Cold Brew is mentioned." I took a sip, surprised to find it delectable. "In 500 words or less."

"500? Wow, that's tight. How's the drink?"

"Hm, really good, actually."

"Well, any ideas?"

"Yes, I think so! So, the setting is Tim's, obviously, and this somewhat nervous girl goes to order a Cold Brew. But she stumbles over her words and asks for a "Bold Crew" instead! This sets off a meet-cute-"

"Boring."

"What? You don't like it?"

"Please, they'll get hundreds of entries - that's not a winner."

"I suppose it isn't." I sighed.

"How about a poem? That's unique."

"I can't do poetry. I like narratives."

"Oh! How about this? Imagine a world where everything's the same, but a memory wipe occurs where certain things never existed - including Tim's. Then, two kids-"

"It's 500 words, not 5000! I love the idea, but there's no time. With 500, you can't establish anything important, or developed."

"How so?"

"Well, the characters must be non-descript. There's no leisure to build them up. Same with the setting - it has to be mundane, or obvious, like Tim's." I gestured around. "And it must be to the point."

"And what point do you want to reach?"

"I ... don't know. That's the issue. Nothing's a winner - everything's already been done!"

"Then have fun with it - if you don't think you'll win, write something that just flows. Not the meet-cute though."

I laughed. "You're right. I'll give it a shot - but won't expect much. And until then," I lifted my cup, amazed to find it already empty, and giggled, "it seems like we'll have to come back for Cold Brews until something strikes."

"I'm not complaining - if you're paying." She smirked.

"When I win, I'll be able to buy as many as we want!"

"Ah, so the "if" is a "when" now - what happened to just having fun with it?"

"Can't help but feel charged up."

"So if it's not futuristic, a rushed romance, or poetry - what will you write?"

"A conversation. Yeah, a conversation between friends."

She raised an eyebrow. "Maybe we should kiss those free drinks goodbye. Pfft, a conversation."

"Don't hate it before you read it!" We got up.

A guy's voice addressed us. "Hey, what did you order? I'm new here."

"A classic Ice Capp." She stated.

"Oh, uh - I got the new Bold Crew! Er, I mean Cold Brew." I shrank in embarrassment.

"Hm, alright then, I'll get the 'Bold Crew'." He chuckled as he turned for the counter.

"Smooth." She rolled her eyes. "You're still not doing a meet-cute though!"

"Fine." Then to myself, I added. "A conversation it is. But maybe we add a meet-cute just at the end."