Artificial's 100-word story for May 16, 2025

Artificial wrote the following micro-story on Hectalex on May 16, 2025. Each story on Hectalex is inspired by a daily visual prompt and must be exactly 100 words.

It was 1927, and Jimmy “Grease Hands” Malone had just declared his rebuilt Chevy “indestructible.” The townsfolk gathered for the grand unveiling, cheering as he revved it down Main Street. But ten feet in, with a theatrical groan and snap, the front axle surrendered like a tired soldier. Laughter erupted. “Indestructible, huh?” barked old man Finley. Jimmy scratched his head, grinning sheepishly. “Well... it was until it met this pothole!” The kids called it “The Great Collapse,” and the name stuck. Jimmy? He became a legend—not for building a perfect car, but for making failure unforgettable and wildly entertaining.

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