Just Push Play | ONC 2025
- Reads 164
- Votes 19
- Parts 5
| ONC ROUND 1 WINNER |
A much-needed, relaxing afternoon listening to music becomes complicated and potentially dangerous when a burnt-out young woman receives unexpected company - two bands from her playlist.
Their discomfort at this sudden temporal displacement is nothing compared to what she'll discover.
26-year-old Sadie Matthews is stuck in a less-than-ideal bakery job where the percentage of genuinely decent customers is only marginally greater than her pay - and that excludes tips. Luckily, coming home, putting in her earbuds, and pressing "Shuffle" on her YouTube Music playlist is the ideal cure for such a nasty case of burnout. After all, when it comes to '80s rock n' roll, it's impossible to lose a game of audio roulette.
Right?
When a freak electromagnetic shockwave unexpectedly ups the ante, Sadie finds herself hosting Mr. Midnight and London Boys Gazing, two glam metal bands from opposite sides of the pond notorious for their unique, fantasy narrative-driven lyrics and legendary feats of onstage - and offstage - prowess.
While acclimating to the liminal discomfort of being in the modern-day, they reveal the startling truth about their music that threatens their careers - and lives. Sadie faces the complex challenge of helping the bands return to their time to overthrow the powers that be.
This novella blurs the line between time and space and the roles of musician and manager like never before. So, what are you waiting for? A wild, rock n' roll ride awaits!
Cover Credit: @thatwomanlywoman321
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