One of These Things

by Russe1l

Each contestant was selected because of some aspect that made him or her unique – something that would stand out from all the plain Janes and typical Joes in the ViewNode.

For some, it was their body-mod. For others, it was the crazy name their parents or growers bestowed upon them, just to stand out from the crowd.

Of course, being selected for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity was now fueling the “I’m more special than you” ego-self-stroking in which everyone in the dormitory was presently engaged.

Painted skin, pierced flesh and bio-adds were de rigeur for the affair. Ribo took quick stock of the competition, stifling a semi-shocked laugh at the cat/woman who modded the tip of her tail for something obviously put to use with a bit more privacy.

After an hour of mingling, flirting and sharing life stories, Ribo, sick and tired of the one-upmanship, scanned for a quick exit…until there he was.

The incongruity.

The one that was not like the others.

Comments

Average Reader Rating: 5.0 stars out of 5

  1. One of These Things

    thebetweenspace's Buddy Icon thebetweenspace

    Posted 7 months ago

    5.0 out of 5 stars

    I love the ending.

  2. One of These Things

    Geek Mythology's Buddy Icon Geek Mythology

    Posted 7 months ago

    5.0 out of 5 stars

    Great ficlet, so enticing and so mysterious.

  3. One of These Things

    1369ic's Buddy Icon 1369ic

    Posted 6 months ago

    3.0 out of 5 stars

    Pretty standard scifi stuff until you get to the end, which is enticing, but it’s hard to rate it highly on a tease.

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