Favorite Contemporary Short Stories?

[Suburban Ascetic]

Because I am in a literary mood and because the forum members here have such colorful personalities, I must ask what are some of your favorite short stories? At this moment I am most interested in contemporary literature dealing with the big issues of today told from the first-person perspective. I do, sadly, have an ulterior motive for asking for stories; my speech teacher entered me in a tournament for Dramatic Interpretation of Literature, I only wanted to sign up for the Debate portion of the tournament, and I desperately need a piece to perform. I'd like to thank everyone for spending their time reading my poorly phrased post.

[mrw]

Would speeches count as literature? Some of Pres. Bush's early speeches from the beginning of the war might be pretty dramatic when performed against the backdrop of the current situation.

There's also a lot of short stories relating to people's first-hand experiences with Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans, and the rescue that (for many) never came. Those should be findable pretty easily, and quite dramatic. There was a great deal of drama going on in and around the Superdome that may provide good material.

Sorry I don't have anything specific...

[Suburban Ascetic]

Thank you so much, I have a lot of difficulty separating what is important to me and what is actually socially relevant. I will look into the Hurricane Katrina stories. Another question, what does everyone think the most socially relevant topic I should place the Katrina stories under?

[Madii]

One writer of short stories I like is Chuck Palahnuik, but I can't really work out how the theme of Big Modern issues would apply to some of his work. But definitely check his stuff out, I've always thought some would translate very well into performed monologues etc.

[zelc]

I'm a fan of The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas, even though I think its critique is flawed . Might be a bit long for a speech event though.

[zip]

the Salem, Oregon thing is a bit odd. Why pick on salem?
for those of you who don't know, generally i have heard that Omelas spelled backward is Salem, O and since the author actually lives around there...

[zip]

it be much too long though

[Suburban Ascetic]

Long stories can be cut down to something that can be performed, in fact one of my teachers suggested I cut down The Fermata by Nicholson Baker and it's over 300 pages. I really want to thank you all again for your help; I know some people only give thanks after the job is done, but I'd still like to here more suggestions from anyone with them. Thanks again, and again, and again, and again.