Wait... I can't say what I didn't write because then it'll be obvious which of the other 22 I did write... unless I'm lying and I did write what I said I didn't? So very, very confused... 😵💫
Umm... it's like the script for an un-made episode of Patrick McGoohan's 'The Prisoner.'
Read it twice... then it reminded me of 'Waiting For Godot.'
So confused. Where's the cat?
I think the story you're looking for might be by D'Artagnon and is called Coupe - it's sequel is Riposte.
http://iomfats.org/storyshelf/hosted/dartagnon/
It's a personal preference. I prefer past tense. Both to read and to write. For me present tense is... awkward?
If you're interested in the really awkward, then try writing--or reading--a story in the 2nd person. Yikes! 😱