Friday, April 9, 2010

Friday Flash Fiction: The Lab Assignment

I need to figure out the rest of Always a Bridesmaid, so here's a microfiction for your entertainment this week.

The Lab Assignment

"I don't get humans," Debtra said. She lowered herself into the chair in Thurston's office and crossed one ankle over her other knee. "The torture they subject themselves to!"

Thurston checked the file on Debtra's Vessel. She should've had one of the easier ones, being physically young and middle-class. He felt sorry for the students who had the elders, the ones who arrived on the dream campus early because their Vessels went to bed so early in the evening. They manifested with all their aches, pains, and complaints. Or the teenagers. They were always late to class. Debtra, his star student, had deserved a break, so he had assigned her to young woman in her twenties, just out of college and starting her career.

"Did you do a tough workout?" he asked.

She shook her head with tears in her eyes.

"Were you attacked? Your manifestation looks okay."

"No, we're fine. It's even worse – she met a guy and decided to re-enter the dating world this weekend."

"That's great!" Thurston slapped his palms on the desk. "That's the kind of sociological experience you're supposed to be getting in this class! Think of the observations you'll make."

Debtra glared at him. "No, it's not!" She leaned forward and winced. "Let me ask you, Professor: have you ever heard of a Brazilian bikini wax?"

11 comments:

Aislinn O'Connor said...

Oh, that's brilliant!! Think she should introduce him to the concept... :D

Marisa Birns said...

Laughing! That's one lab assignment she should pass with flying colors.

Such as green and yellow. ;)

Laura Eno said...

Hahaha! Ouch...

Anonymous said...

I think she should demonstrate it... on him. That way he'll know the dangers firsthand.

Brilliant. :)

Cat Russell said...

Loved the last line!

Donald Conrad said...

"The torture they subject themselves to."
Indeed. And a strong argument for corduroys as beach attire.

Valerie said...

Never again. *shudder* And of course she hasn't even talked about the actual date... lol. Fun!

Anne Tyler Lord said...

Ouch! There are a lot more indignities to dating, but that tops the list.

I'm trying to figure out how to end my series, too.

KjM said...

Oh, my eyes are watering.

What a compact piece - it's possible to peel (oops, sorry) the layers off this to imagine the worlds inhabited by the characters.

Very well done.

mazzz in Leeds said...

Haha! indeed, torture it is - like high heels for example as well!

Term Papers said...

I have been visiting various blogs for my term papers writing research. I have found your blog to be quite useful. Keep updating your blog with valuable information... Regards