Things I’ve Learned The Hard Way
Pineapple
Fresh pineapple is the best-tasting fruit.
Once you chew past the turtle shell-like skin.
Comic
Dragons
It’s hard to argue with a logical mind.
50-Word Story
Timing Is Everything In Show Business
Littletown was holding its summer carnival.
Jimmy had just finished eating 26 crackers in a row without water to break his friend Bobby’s record.
Suddenly, Mrs. Marshal told Jimmy it was his turn at the talent contest.
And he was supposed to whistle the theme from The Andy Griffith Show.
Story
Global Outbreak
-2089-
“Humans as a species are in mortal danger. Thousands have already died from the mysterious virus that has swept the planet. I am at the Boston Botanical Research Center with Dr. Jones, one of the leading researchers in botanical medicine. Tell us, Dr. Jones, are you close to creating a vaccine?”
“We are. My team has been working around the clock, and we believe we have a cure. We are in the final stages of testing. If the tests are successful, we will send out the formula to every pharmaceutical manufacturer in the world for immediate production.”
“How long can we expect the process to take?”
“We hope to have a vaccine shipping in a matter of days.”
“That is great news. Thank you, Doctor.”
“The credit goes to my whole team. I could not have done this alone.”
“Cut!” Sam said, and Becky stopped filming.
“Thank you, Casandra. That was perfect,” Sam said to Doctor Casandra Jones. “We stopped and got subs for the whole team. Why don’t you take a break? You need to eat.”
“I would like that, Sam. But I can only spare a few minutes. There are countless things to do,” Casandra replied.
“I’ll go get us some subs. Turkey, right?”
“Yes, please.”
After Sam left, Becky turned to Casandra and said, “He’s in love with you. You know that, right?”
“What do you mean?”
“Come on. It’s obvious. I’ve been working with Sam for twelve years. I know him as well as anyone. Trust me, he’s got it bad.”
Casandra couldn’t understand why, but she seemed drawn to Sam. She knew it was unwise, but she couldn’t control it. The feeling kept growing stronger. Was this love?
Over the past month, Sam Coverwell had been equally drawn to Casandra. He was assigned to follow and report on the vaccine research taking place at the research center, and in the process, he fell hard for Casandra. He knew it was unprofessional, but they had been spending long hours together, and it just happened.
That night when Casandra laid down for a few hours sleep, her thoughts tortured her. How could a man have such a hold on her? Why was he the focus of almost all of her thoughts? She dared not tell her team. They would eliminate her. She had grown to despise her work. What had come over her?
When she arrived on Earth, she was in control of her thoughts. She knew the mission. Spread the virus. Allow it to kill enough humans to cause panic, then provide the vaccine that would render all humans complacent, emotionless slaves.
Earth would be their newest colony planet. Taken without bloodshed. Then she would move on to the next planet and repeat the process. Now she was considering throwing it all away for one human? Insanity. It must be.
She couldn’t tell Sam the truth. He would report it, she knew that. Then her people would simply let the virus run its course and wipe out all human life. An inconvenience, but slaves could be shipped in. She had a real vaccine. She could give it to Sam. But he would hate her for what she had done. She was already starting to hate herself.
She used to think love was a foolish human emotion, but now she wondered if caring for others was better than the cold, emotionless life her people lived. No, she wouldn’t let Sam become a slave. No matter the cost.
She knew what she had to do. She would send out the real vaccine formula. By the time her people realized, it would be too late. Cloaked warships were waiting in case something went wrong with the operation. It would result in a global war between her people and humans, likely resulting in thousands or even millions of deaths.
But she also realized that emotions, like love, are what make humans unique. Taking those emotions away would be a form of living death. She had to give them a fighting chance.
The next morning, when Sam and Becky showed up, she asked them to come into her office.
“I have to tell you something. It’s going to be hard to believe.”
I wrote this in March, 2019. Long before Covid 19. I hope it’s not prophetic.
Happy Monday.
Mark
Great SF, Mark!