Unmask the Mysterious Man Contest

Details

If you use the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of the site, you get this enigmatic message:

Deep in the Scribophile headquarters a dusty printer hums to life, clattering noisily until a sheet of yellowed paper covered in scrawls—your message—emerges.

A well-oiled man, waxed moustache glistening, gently tears the paper from the printer. Rolling it carefully, he places it in a shatterproof cylindrical case. He locks the case shut and drips red sealing wax over the hinge.

Satisfied, he turns to a flickering computer readout and types a series of inscrutible codes: the coordinates of Alex's office, numbers so guarded that men have died trying to discover them. The computer's green glow reflects in his eyes.

With the coordinates entered in triplicate, the man straps your message to his belt, hitches his shorts—the only thing between him and the elements—and with arms extended up, climbs atop an enormous wooden crossbow. He crosses himself quickly as the arbalest creaks into place, pointing at the coordinates the man entered—to Alex's office.

Seconds pass when, all of a sudden, the tightly-wound machine snaps to life, bowstrings vibrating shrilly, and launches him skyward. He utters not a sound as he begins his parabolic journey to deliver your message safely into the hands of Alex.

So who is this mysterious man? That's going to be your challenge this month. In no more than 3000 words, you're to write the backstory for the Mysterious Man. In addition to the $50 first place and $25 second place, the Mysterious Man himself will be writing the winner a lovely letter (which you will all get to read).

Give us a glimpse at the man behind the moustache.

Winning entries

Winners have been announced! Log in to see them.

Prizes

Rules

• Your entry must be the backstory of the Mysterious Man who forwards your messages on to Alex in 3000 words or fewer as counted by Scribophile.

• Entries must be received before midnight on December 31st, 2012 (UTC time), and winners will be announced within two weeks of that date.

• Entries will be judged by Scribophile staff. Decisions are final.

• Only one entry is allowed per member. Multiple entries will all be disqualified.

• Work must have Public visibility on Scribophile until winners are announced.

Submission guidelines

• To enter the contest, post your work on Scribophile and check the box that says "Enter this work into the Unmask the Mysterious Man Contest". Your work will automatically be considered. The checkbox will be visible until the contest deadline, which is in UTC time.

• Entry is free, but you'll need karma points to post your work. You can earn karma points by writing critiques of work by other members.

• If you have placed in a contest in the past with a particular piece, you may not resubmit that piece in other contests.