During National Novel Writing Month, I am highlighting a selection of my contributions to the 6 Sentences Social Network. This was originally posted in March of 2009.
I notice the orange cones that mark a ladder sticking out of a manhole cover, and I look because I am the curious sort.
A head and shoulders emerge, the eyes darting about like a rabbit at the mouth of a well hidden hutch. The worker sees me and calls out “Hey mac – you got a screwdriver on ya? maybe a dime or a jack knife? Something, anything to turn a small screw and make an adjustment to the gear ratio before this city starts losing time . We might miss the next generation by almost a month.”
I pull the lining of my pockets out, signaling my lack of relevant tools, and pose my own question: “Are there really alligators down there?” The city worker looks at me and shakes his oil smudged head in bewilderment.
“Some folks will believe anything,” he mutters descending the ladder.
Oh, this piece makes me wonder what that guy was doing in the sewer in the first place? Was he really a city worker? Alone, with no tools? I like the intrigue!
Nice – I was expecting an Alice down the rabbit hole turn. good fake.
suk–ah!! Great gotcha..
That was funny! And so New Yawk… Peace, Linda
Your pieces never fail to give a chuckle or a smile. Personally, I’d rather miss a month of the next generation then come face to face with a gator.
Didn’t quite get what was going on, but I think whatever it is might be scarier than any gator…
If the city starts to lose time, will its inhabitants age more slowly? If yes, and assuming he didn’t find a screwdriver, would you please send me a map?
Good one!
haha, nice one.
I can now blame inefficient workers for the fact that time passes so slowly when I’m at work
Yup. And I am one of them apparently!