The 500 Word Challenge

The Zs were clearly losing. It seemed, each time they came into play, that people would immediately relax, sleep closing in without warning. They were doomed, it appeared, to be corporate shills for restful weekends and Sleep Number beds. No marketing ploy could save them from a boring, relaxing, sleep-filled future.

The Os, on the other hand, were letters of excitement, bringing cheers and screaming wherever they went. Their market influence seemed to know no boundary - effects were felt from cereal to cookie jingles. The Os soon became exhausted. Longing for release, retreat and vacation with the Zs, the Os let out a long, mournful howl.

Ooooo!, They cried in frustration. Why couldn't they take a vacation? They worked long hours, well into early mornings most times. Yet no vacation was allowed; there was no rest to be found. This was when the Os decided to strike.

In response, Corporate Scientist I.M. Greedy began a quest to create the Ultimate Selling Letter: He created the Super Os. Designed from Alloyed Steel, these Super Os would exceed the need in the marketplace, ensuring profitability for all jingles involving the Letter O. These would be the letter to cross the picket line: The Scab Os.

What Dr. Greedy didn't expect, however, was that his Super Os would be created with a conscience. In what would did conscience and commercialism merge? It happened, nonetheless. Each time a Super O was cut from the rest, it would immediately reattach itself to the rest. The result was a long, metallic string of Super Os, mimicking the howl of frustration from its lesser brothers.

Dr. Greedy soon became frustrated. His Super Os were a rather uncooperative bunch, refusing to fit the mold that he had so intricately designed. The continued to be cut and re-cut, defiant from beginning to end.

Corporate sponsors fell away, opting for numbers instead. Greedy and his crew, nearly bankrupt, left advertising for more lucrative jobs. The Os, Zs and Super Os took jobs with Alpha Bits...and they all lived happily ever after.