Yes, the New Benicia Ferry is full of information about community services and activities that you can engage with, but it’s also where you can find intriguing made up stories about the wild array of characters who make up our town. This is what the Main Street diaries flash Fiction Contest is all about. check out the menu tab above for more details on how to enter.

Here’s a another favorite flash fiction story submission based on the prompts: Benicia, five hundred dollars, Main Street, and rain.

Over Lunch at Cafe at the Inn
by Sarah Beserra

It’s been a week since besties Ethel and Violet have seen each other. They meet at Cafe at the Inn. “Go ahead and grab a table, Vi. It’s my treat. Picked up $500 worth of Downtown Dollars and am loaded for bear. Christmas shopping blitz tomorrow.”
“Oh, but they’ve predicted heavy rain this weekend.”
“No biggie. Worse case scenario I’ll hang out at One House Bakery and stuff my pie hole.”
“I apologize, but I’ve only got an hour, Ethel. Must make a run to Trader Joe’s —mandarin orange chicken, Prosecco, and those dark chocolate-covered caramels. What a blessing they took over that tacky Dollar Store next to Safeway.”
“Talk to me!” Ethel blurts, pulling out a chair. What did you think about Saturday night’s extravaganza? Seeing George and Amal on the red carpet in front of the Majestic slayed me! La tout Benicia was there!”
“Evidently they arrived fresh off flight from Lago Como,” Ethel babbles. Diana from the Carquinez Village volunteered to pick them up at the airport. They’re holed up at Benicia Bay Inn, according to Diana. Thank God he got rid of that black hair dye he had for Edward R. Murrow! Amal looked gorgeous wearing Prada. Did you notice that George was in the same monkey suit he’s worn for years?”
“How gauche! A shame we missed seeing each other other. What were you wearing, or should I say ‘who’ were you wearing?”
“A 1920’s fringed number from Elisa’s Cottage and an old mink coat from Fabulous Finds in the Tannery. It’s been dead for years, so sue me.”
“Heavens! No judgements. I had Sally Babson up the street modify a vintage North Beach Leather suit I found at Labels in Walnut Creek and paired it with Mother’s old alligator shoes and bag.”
After sharing their photos ….
“Did you see the Benicia Herald this morning, Vi? According to their on-line edition, the Council’s sister city trip to London was a smash. Terry Scott took a ride on that humongous ferris wheel and got the idea of having one at the foot of Main St. Here, I’ll read it,” Ethel says, grabbing her phone.

“I think we could do something like this in Benicia,” said Vice Mayor Terry Scott. “The London Eye, formerly the Millennium Wheel, is the most profitable tourist attraction in the country. The revenues would be a boon to our budget and Main Street businesses. Both the Benicia Community Foundation and the Chamber have expressed an interest in working with us.”
“Divine!” Just imagine the views from the top — San Francisco, the Golden Gate Bridge, and Napa Valley for starters.”
“Oops, got to toodle,” Violet says clutching her purse. “Interested in seeing La Dolce Vita Wednesday at the Majestic?”
“Assoulutamente! Anita Ekberg with Marcello in the Trevi Fountain? To die for! I wanted to be Ekberg, but didn’t have the equipment.”
“Who did darling? I’ll call you.”

Okay, that’s a sample of what’s to come with the Main Street Diaries. sharpen your pencil or stretch your fingers and get ready to send us your own Benicia stories. Click on the Main Street Diaries menu tab above for more information.

We’re looking forward to hearing from you!