The Wary Imposter
» S.D. Smith
Christmas loomed like an insistent bum in the street ahead and Brant was similarly wary of both. He knew neither what to say or what to give, felt guilty about not wanting to give anything.
His son played with the wrapping-paper tube, a skeletal delight for the grave-robbing children of the world. Usually employed as a sword, or a telescope, the boy had opted for an arm extension.
“A robot?”
“I am not a robot,” his son said, robotically. “Robots are evil.”
“True,” Brant said, moving into the bathroom.
Inside, he looked into the mirror and adjusted his emotion settings.
December 24th, 2009 at 8:29 am
Nice! I laughed out loud and do believe I heard my husband do the same.
December 24th, 2009 at 10:03 am
Aha, it’s perfect, Sam! Nice Bradbury-esque horror, and do I detect a little post-apocalyptic in there?
December 24th, 2009 at 12:06 pm
Bradbury-esque? Wow, that’s kind.
And Rebecca, actually didn’t mean to be funny —ironic, I guess. Ha, but I’m glad it made you laugh.
December 24th, 2009 at 1:09 pm
Loren meant to say burlesque, but of course, that was the wrong word to use. I’m sorry–I’m being stupid. I like the story. It has creep and twist.
December 24th, 2009 at 10:09 pm
That’s great. Love the twist and the metaphor.
December 24th, 2009 at 10:10 pm
oh, and I also laughed.