ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, November 17, 1996 TAG: 9611190130
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 1 EDITION: METRO
Imagine the young couple in O. Henry's ``Gifts of the Magi'' hawking the beautiful hair and pocket watch ... at downtown Roanoke's Southern Pawn Shop.
Picture St. Nicholas in ``A Visit from St. Nicholas'' (You know, the one that starts "Twas the night before Christmas ... ") - only this Santa is the trim version who watches his cholesterol, who would never dream of smoking a pipe, and who wears only faux fur.
Cindy Lou Hoo not only cried when she figured out ``How The Grinch Stole Christmas!'' She filed sexual harassment charges.
And who would be the 1996 version of Ebenezer Scrooge in "A Christmas Carol"? Bill Clinton? Bob Dole? Your boss?
Sharpen your pencils and brush up those key strokes. It's time for our second holiday short-story contest.
Only this year, there's a twist: Instead of spinning a fictional story out of thin air, use one of the four classics mentioned above to get you started - then update it for the '90s.
Please double-space and type your entries, which should be no more than 1,000 words. Include your name and daytime telephone number.
The winning story will be published in the Extra section on Christmas Day with an illustration by our art department. The author will receive $100 - in time for that last-minute shopping rush.
The deadline is 5 p.m. Dec. 2. Mail your entry to: Features Department, The Roanoke Times, P.O. Box 2491, Roanoke, Va. 24010. Or drop it off in person at The Roanoke Times building at 201 W. Campbell Ave. Faxed and e-mailed entries will not be accepted.
LENGTH: Short : 37 lines ILLUSTRATION: GRAPHIC: graphic colorby CNB