Deadline: January 15!

Sure, anyone can write a 500,000-word novel, but a 500-word short story with a beginning, a middle and an ending? Now that requires skill. No dawdling. Every word counts.

Yep. Every. Single. Word.

So send those adjectives packing and kick those adverbs to the curb. Oh, and while you're at it, gaze upon the drawing for inspiration because your milieu must include snow.

 Grand Prize
$100
  Story published in The VERB
 Story Opinion, also published in The VERB

 Details at the Contest Café.

Mann could not allow himself to accept what apparently had taken place. It had to be a coincidence. The truck driver couldn't have blocked his way on purpose. He waited for more than a minute, then flicked down the turn-indicator lever to make his intentions perfectly clear and, depressing the accelerator pedal, steered again into the eastbound lane.

   Immediately, the truck shifted, barring his way....

   He returned to the westbound lane, shaking his head as the truck swung back in front of him....

   Impulsively, he sped into the eastbound lane again. To his surprise, the truck driver did not pull over. Instead, the driver stuck his left arm out and waved him on. Mann started pushing down on the accelerator. He let up on the pedal with a gasp and jerked the steering wheel around, raking back behind the truck so quickly that his car began to fishtail. He was fighting to control its zigzag whipping when a blue convertible shot by him in the opposite lane....

   Mann was sucking breath in through his mouth. His heart was pounding almost painfully. My God! He wanted me to hit that car head on!  

   The idea seemed beyond his comprehension. On a California highway on a Thursday morning? Why?