Encyclopedia
Alibi Encyclopedia
25 flagship alibi scenarios — each one a story, not just a one-liner. Use them as writing prompts, improv offers, or party-game material.
fantasy
Escaped Pet Dinosaur
The classic 'one of my exotic pets got loose' alibi, scaled up to prehistoric proportions.
animal
Chased by a Goose
Anyone who has met a goose in real life knows this excuse is at least 60% plausible.
sci-fi
Accidental Time Traveler
You were briefly in 1873 and then briefly in 2147. Either way, you missed the meeting.
sci-fi
Alien Training Program
Technically you're not supposed to talk about it, but you're already late, so you might as well.
fantasy
Dragon on the Highway
Traffic, but with more scales and significantly more property damage.
historical
Stuck in a Medieval Festival
Took a shortcut, ended up in a town square that doesn't appear on any map, watched a jousting tournament.
absurd
Accidentally Joined a Circus
Quick errand. Wrong door. Ringmaster very persuasive. You're now contractually a fire-eater.
animal
Raccoon Stole My Keys
He looked you in the eye. He took the keys. He climbed a tree. He waited.
animal
Squirrel Stole My Charger
He needed it more than you did. Or so he believes.
absurd
Ghost Took My Keys
Sometimes the supernatural is the only honest explanation for where your keys go.
absurd
Haunted Coffee Maker
It refused to brew. It blinked the wrong word. You stood in your kitchen and watched it have an opinion.
absurd
Wi-Fi Was Possessed
The router did everything but speak in tongues. Frankly, it might have.
sci-fi
Phone Fell Into a Portal
It is, technically, both lost and not lost. It's in another dimension having a great time.
absurd
Elevator Took a Detour
It went to a floor that does not appear on the directory. The doors opened. You did not get out.
sci-fi
Lunar Jury Duty
Yes, it's mandatory. No, you can't appeal. The trip alone takes a week.
absurd
Won a Contest I Didn't Enter
Apparently I'm now the Northeast regional finalist for something. Briefing is at 9.
mundane
Neighbor Needed an Alibi
It would be rude to refuse. You are now also part of the cover story.
absurd
Pretending to Be Twins
Long story. Two appointments. One face. Twice the wardrobe changes.
absurd
Borrowed Someone's Life
Wrong train, wrong stop, wrong key in a door that opened anyway. You're back now. Mostly.
mundane
Wrong Funeral
You realized it three eulogies in. You stayed out of respect. He sounded lovely.
mundane
Meeting Wouldn't End
It was scheduled for thirty minutes. It is now ninety. There is no end in sight.
mundane
Lost in IKEA
You went in for a hex key. You came out three hours later with a bookshelf, a candle, and the haunted look of someone who has seen too many showrooms.
mundane
Small Act of Heroism
Helped someone with something. Took on a life of its own. Now you're late, but morally radiant.
mundane
Coffee on Government Document
It was important. It is now both important and beige. Everything is on hold.
mundane
Uber Driver Needed Support
He started talking. You listened. He pulled over. You got it.