Round 1 – Alone / Together
They walked down the beach hand in hand, blankly staring at the waves. Not a word was shared. Going through the motions.
Alone, yet together…

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Round 2 – Fills In / Lessens the Void
Jessica fills in the time with tweeting and poetry. Tim with fantasy sports. They kid themselves that these activities lessen the void in the middle of the room.

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Round 3 – Fidelity
The headlines scream, “Investment Company Executive Caught in Prostitution Sting”
Only slightly ironic that his company name contains the word “Fidelity.” Maybe it’s those guys who we should check first.

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Round 4 – Veins
I have always been fascinated by bodybuilders. The dedication required to create such forms is impressive. Living pieces of art.
Only one thing bothers me – does it seem like their veins are trying to escape?

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Round 5 – Wrap / Tie up
Tie up loose ends.
It’s a wrap.
The concept of completeness illustrated by these clichés implies that everything is neat and tidy.
Most things are never complete. They are abandoned.

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Round 6 – Hellbent / Clasp
“How could you do this, knowing that he is hellbent on causing as much destruction as possible?”
“Watch…”
In moments, the villain collapsed. The sheriff smiled.
“You see, my firm hand clasp placed a poisoned needle in his palm. Problem solved.”
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Round 7 – Room for more
It was just another night at the restaurant for Mr. Creosote. No matter how many plates they brought, there was always room for more.
Finally, he was done. Or so he thought.
“They’re merely wafer-thin…”
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Round 8 – All to myself/yourself
I know you’ve been talking to yourself all afternoon. Trying to get these people out of your shop. Counting the hours.
You arrive home to find me prone on the bed. I rise and take you in my arms.
Now I have you all to myself…

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Round 9 – From his/her lips
“You really shouldn’t have come tonight…”
She moved in close, the merest whisper coming from her lips.
“You live for this…”

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Round 10 – Resolution
“I can’t make out her face. Up the resolution.”
The PI twiddled a knob on his camera.
“There! I knew it was her!”
“Yeah? Looks like she’s calling a taxi.”
“Nah. She’s always thought she was Evita…”

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Encore Round 1 – Take my hand
The authorities were closing in. The only way out was over the balcony. She was hesitant.
“Take my hand. Do you trust me?”
Famous last words.
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Encore Round 2 – twining fingers / twirling tendrils
They embraced as only new lovers could. As their passion rose, twirling tendrils emerged from her back, encircling his head.
He pulled back, astonished. She smiled and winked – this was just how she was.
Astonishment turned to resignation.

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Encore Round 3 – inner warmth
A stoic often leads a solitary life. People are afraid to approach the chiseled façade in fear of being dismissed or insulted.
It is the lucky soul indeed who can see past all that and reveal the inner warmth present in many souls such as this.
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Encore Round 4 – come back
It was over – he knew it was. They could not see eye to eye on anything any more. He wallowed in his loneliness.
He returned from work one night to find her on his couch. “Why did you come back?”
“No one out there makes me laugh.”
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Encore Round 5 – home
The travel is long and hard. The roads are bad. The crowds oppressive.
I round the corner and see a familiar sight. The room is warm, the fire bright. A sherry waits next to my loving wife.
I know I am home.

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Encore Round 6 – restraint
The mayor smiled as the heckler was led away.
“You showed admirable restraint there, sir. Most men would be on their way to jail in handcuffs.”
“I have a public persona to think of, Tom.”
Besides, the handcuffs were for later, with his mistress.
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Encore Round 7 – confidence
The interns soaked up the chairman’s advice like a sponge.
“The key to success is to always project an air of confidence, no matter what the situation.”
One asked, “What if you’re found out?”
The chairman smiled. “Have a good lawyer on retainer.”
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Encore Round 8 – Spring’s touch
The winter has been interminable. Chaos and disease run rampant.
She sits at the window, looking over the barren landscape, longing for Spring’s touch to bring the fields back to life.

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Encore Round 9 – Surrender to your heart
The rational mind can only take you so far. Eventually, your life feels empty, and you must surrender to your heart to find what is missing.
My goal has always been the heart and mind united in a single, perfect sphere.

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Encore Round 10 – A new beginning
The ending was traumatic. The result empty. The only thing left to hope for is a new beginning.
Too bad you can’t buy one at a store.
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