The tiles, in unmarked uniform antiseptic whiteness covering the floors and walls, added to the cold of the eyes behind the monitor. Alicia Sanz stepped to the floor, rapidly pulling on her dress and blouse partly to ward off the chill, partly to cover threadbare underwear. Hands guided her into a chair opposite those eyes, … Continue reading Augmented
Category: Short Story
Love is the Drug
Furniture of memory latex and plasteel; ceramics decorating walls and floors; windows of smart glass. A clean, harsh, efficiently depressing air bringing the silence of the tomb to the hospital. Emily and Tasha were with the specialist. The door opened and Dr. Heres motioned James inside, pointing to a solitary chair on the far side … Continue reading Love is the Drug
Some Otherwhere, Some Otherwhen
I lifted a forkful of scrambled egg to my mouth. Just as I liked them. Firm, rich, a hint of salt and parmesan. I looked across at my wife. “Not bad, eight out of ten.” She feigned hurt. “What’s wrong, no serenade or silver service?” “Can’t leave you with nowhere to go, that’s what it … Continue reading Some Otherwhere, Some Otherwhen
Finding Them
The café was nearly deserted, resting between early morning workers and the lunch time blitz of tired shoppers. It was my time, those few hours where a quiet table could be had and I could linger over a cup or two, watching the world float by without the waitresses shuffling me along for better paying … Continue reading Finding Them
Bacon and Butter
I got this thing for butter. Real butter. Not the mass-produced stuff out of Rochedale but the boutique, Sorrell melt in your mouth handmade creamy delight. It’s expensive and the job don’t pay well but I’m careful. I budget to the last few cents, take out the home loan, utilities and petrol before I see … Continue reading Bacon and Butter
Inzali Ariba
The air conditioner howls, it’s only twenty-five celsius outside but it needs to be eighteen here, on the edge between comfort and freezing. Can’t relax, be comfortable, let my mind wander, be in discomfort. My pills knock me out for eight hours at a stretch but in the greyness hides danger. The numbers, I must … Continue reading Inzali Ariba
Lines
Thursday, it always seemed to be a Thursday. Not that Schilling noticed at first. All he could muster was to fall out of bed into his clothes, stroll zombie like to the bus, grunt at the driver and then slump into a seat until the express jolted to a halt. A semi-comatose shuffle through the … Continue reading Lines
Time In Lieu
Erica was impressed. “Three weeks? Three whole weeks! How’d you get that approved?” “It was easy, I’ve been saving for two years so I’m owed.” Janice leant closer. The tea room was less crowded than usual but still the hubbub of voices made normal conversation difficult. “I’ve also got some time in lieu so I … Continue reading Time In Lieu
Dream a Little Dream of Me
Penny gazed out the window, down the river past the boats and seagulls to the East China Sea. Keelung’s Harbour View Hotel wasn’t that bad a place to find yourself stranded in for a couple of months she mused. Stan’s employer was paying for it and, as far as getting out of Detroit in winter, … Continue reading Dream a Little Dream of Me
The Queue
It was nearly 9am as Kynn woke in the doorway and, accompanied by creaking joints and falling dirt, stood up shaking the night from his coat. Too old, too cold and too long without sustenance he thought. He slowly picked his way along the alley between overflowing garbage bins, pools of rancid water, and occasional … Continue reading The Queue
