Ficlets

How Not To Be in an Airlock

“I still don’t know why you need me in the air lock.”

“It’s like I told you. Something spilled, and we need you to clean it up.”

“Something.”

“Yes.”

“You want to be a little more specific? Is it liquid? Solid? Will it try to attack me and eat my face?”

“What is this, 20 questions? I have no idea. I’m just passing along what gets told to me. There’s a mess in the airlock. Someone has to clean it. You’re the low man on the totem pole. Grab a mop.”

“You and I are both at the same level, you know.”

“Yeah, but I’m busy as the moment.”

“Doing what?”

“It’s administrative stuff. It’s complicated.”

“Uh-huh.”

“Look, just get on it, okay?”

“Fine. I just need to get a space suit on first.”

“No time. we have arrivals in, like, five minutes. Just get in there, clean it, get out. It’s not rocket science.”

“I have a degree in rocket science.”

“Good for you.”

“Okay, I’m here. With a mop.”

“You’re in the air lock?”

“Yes.”

“Great.”

“What? Hey! Open the airlock! Hello?”

Comments

Average Reader Rating:

How Not To Be in an Airlock
Scalzi
Posted about 1 year ago

Hey there! Want to know what happens next? So do I. Why don’t you write a sequel Ficlet and keep the story going?
How Not To Be in an Airlock
The K
Posted about 1 year ago

I rated this 3 stars cause I need resolution. Does someone blow her out of the airlock? Does she McGuyver a decompression suit? (and btw, not clever enough myself to write a sequel)
How Not To Be in an Airlock
natalief
Posted about 1 year ago

Oooooo intriguing! Many many ideas but I doubt I will get/make time to write anything…
How Not To Be in an Airlock
SJHundak/S.J.Willing
Posted about 1 year ago

Heh, dirty deeds are afoot. Hmm wonder if that pun was intended.

:)

S.j.
How Not To Be in an Airlock
mxcl
Posted about 1 year ago

Fun :) But the joke about rocket science was a little lame ;) But I enjoyed the story anyway.
How Not To Be in an Airlock
Trippy
Posted about 1 year ago

A great start with an added twist. A feeling of ‘The Cold Equations”
How Not To Be in an Airlock
JS.10
Posted about 1 year ago

This is hilarious! I loved it. Nice one!
How Not To Be in an Airlock
Tygertrot
Posted about 1 year ago

Freaking funny, but your ending(?) killed the fifth star I was going to give you. Did a double-take, thought the guy was sending him into deep space. Then it hit me – oh, he’s locked him in, kinda the way you lock your siblings into the bathroom. Wasn’t quite the bang (or maybe the whoosh) I’d expected.
How Not To Be in an Airlock
Alexa ♥
Posted about 1 year ago

Very engaging dialogue.