Zion Press

  Zion Press -- Usually, the business manager of Skinny John's Winery approached the owner nervously, knowing that whatever news he gave him would never be good enough. Today, though, Dave had good news. The winery had broken all kinds of records, from tour groups who managed to sneak through the borders to the oblivious who acted as though nothing had changed. Dave handed the reports of the third quarter, and what he had so far for the fourth, to the owner, anticipating the response, but pleased to direct him to the positives. Haarjel took the offered reports, ready to lambast the manager, but trying not to shoot (or really, pepper spray the messenger) until he realized his business holdings were holding. In fact, they were outstanding this time. What was different, he vaguely wondered. "Really helps to have closed down the competition" suggested Dave helpfully. "Doesn't it?"

  Zion Press – Eighth grade Social Studies teacher Josh Harris gathered all of his teacher’s edition books he had accumulated over the years, snagged a couple of red pens from the can on his desk and went to work. He knew that this would be a big job, but he was determined to do it right. Setting his coffee cup to the side, he opened the most recent book and began reading. As he had been teaching for so long without a real change in books or curriculum, he could scan the info pretty quickly and move on. This time, however, would be a bit different as he planned on editing the books this go round.                 First up, the American Revolution. For so long, he had taught the American Revolution was a good thing, getting out from under British rule, a country that wasn’t even on the same continent as North America. Now he knew better. Taking his red pen, he made notes in the margins indicating that the re...

  Taking a long pull of his ever present whiskey, Skyler Steelin coughed as the alcohol burned his throat, then followed it with a drag on his cigarette. As a world traveler, he had been introduced to both at a young age, but now, appreciated them for what they gave him. He didn't realize it when he started smoking, but the cigarette gave him space (more than one person had suggested they didn't want to sit next to an ashtray) and time to think about the spin on whatever question some nosy reporter was asking. The vice also allowed him to bond with his friends half-way around the world. As the reporter, Rob, continued with his pesky questions, Skyler blew a smoke ring at him. The reporter blinked twice, but kept asking impertinent questions, like "How much of your income was actually derived by selling state secrets?" and "I understand you're not going to give me a number, but can we shoot for a percentage?" Skyler took another sip and winked at the repo...

Zion Press --Alexis Davis kicked her brand-new Merry Otter book. As a child, she had loved the stories, the world, the universe the author created, and when she saw a brand-new copy of the cheerful pinniped for sale, she jumped on it and de Nile had it on her front porch the next day. But now, wailing, because her foot hurt and because the author had so disappointed her, she began to pout. The flashing light on her phone let her know that someone was calling, which threw her off; nobody she knew actually called. Oh! Except her friend, Alice. Alice rarely called unless it was something vital. Alexis slid the green icon across the phone to hear the sobbing coming from the other end; apparently Alice had started the call prior to Alexis picking up. "My parents" (hiccup) "are done with me!" A hiccup followed by a sob came through the phone line. "They've told everyone not to talk to me!" Alexis sucked in her breath. She always knew Alice's parents wer...

  Kelly looked at the scene in front of her, not quite horrified, a bit perplexed, but mainly shocked. Having grown up on an apple orchard, which meant picking, packing, cleaning, making cider, peeling, and generally having more knowledge about apples than any one person really needed, she determined as an adult, and as a mother, she wouldn't subject her kids to apples. It's not like she hated them, just more like they held no interest. However , she also knew that many people did like apples, and that, in general, they were a pretty good source of nourishment. They didn't provide the entire meal, but could certainly add to it. When her kids were younger, she simply avoided them, choosing to serve other fruit instead, including grapes, oranges, strawberries, watermelon, raspberries, blueberries, and cantaloupe. Whenever her children asked, she simply told them she didn't care for apples, but they were free to choose when they were older. Figuring the day of reck...

  Zion Press -- Scowling at the report in front of him, or as much as he could scowl given his last few appointments with the esthetician, Chaz tried to absorb the information. The state had a net loss of 157,000 people in 2019, and that was before the pandemic. How long, he wondered, could the state rely on its charm before people realized charm didn't pay the bills? But the people did. Overturning one of the propositions would allow for more money to come to the state, through the taxing of businesses, and the money was slated to go the schools for education, but really, Chaz knew there would always be another project that needed it more. So would those ingrates vote for the proposition? He hoped so. The coffers were running dry. Maybe that was because of all of the unemployment he had to pay out. He briefly wondered if there was a connection between shutting down the state, like a father grounding his children, and the unemployment running dry. The thought flittered away. Maybe ...