[Certain]

Pinot Grij: I don't really have any qualms in saying you're the best, most polished storyteller in this league. You keep things moving with crisp wording and great rhymes and rhyme schemes. You understand both pacing and how to twist lines to be a bit more interesting than the straightforwardness of a lot of storytellers. I loved this line, for instance: "Sadly, I have to ask the plaintiff to help me draft an affidavit." It fit perfectly into your verse but had a terrific sound with the assonance and the internal rhyme. It moved the plot but also added a hint of depth to your sleezy lawyer character. Parts of this story were funny. Others drew empathy. You kept the story based in the real world, which I prefer. All of that said, I didn't think the story matched the storytelling here. The ending was predictable. The actual action was all set in the lawyer's office, the rest being a retelling all in past tense. The connection to the topic could have been stronger. In other words, I know you can do better, even having read only two verses from you.

Mike Wrecka: This was one weird, fucked-up story. You have a really strong mind for how to approach topics, maybe the best in this league. That's important because, frankly, your mechanics and writing aren't nearly as polished as Pinot Grij's. Your flow got choppy, particularly in the middle section, and your rhymes were only OK and almost exclusively limited to the ends of lines. But I really liked this verse simply because of the way you presented the story. That's a real gift, to be able to keep the reader moving without delving into anything fancy as a writer. The ending was funny but oddly convincing, even if it is scientifically impossible. I loved the slow unraveling of everything. At first I was thinking, well, all ventriloquists are fucking weirdos. But then I started thinking, this guy's weirder than that. Then it all clicked. I'd love to see what you could do with a more complex rhyme scheme and more intricate diction because you have such a great mind for content. Oh, also: The photo was fucking disgusting.

Vote: Mike Wrecka