Menagerie by A.K. Meek

Author:A.K. Meek
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: animal, short story, science fiction, dystopia, skyscrapers
Publisher: A.K. Meek

The Big Decision

Tim caught sight of her on his way to work two weeks after he first talked with her. He didn’t let another opportunity pass to get the name of the girl with a squirrel.

When they reintroduced, she gave him her name, Maine, and gave him her profile number. Her Menagerie was named Maine Two.

For the next three hours in his work cubicle, Tim scoured Maine’s profile; family, friends, friends of friends, and favorite foods. After those three short hours, he knew more about the last 10 years of her life than he knew about the last week of John’s life.

During their second transit tube encounter, Maine had invited Tim to a housewarming party. She just moved into Babylon, the newest development in town, located in the posh northern section of Corinth. Her apartment: Tower One, floor 353, apartment 353-85.

Tim frequently dreamt of an apartment more than 200 floors above the street, but 300, unimaginable.

She also told him to bring his Menagerie.

***

The ambient lighting in Tim’s apartment automatically dimmed to match the afternoon setting of the sun. The long work day had ended and Tim had rushed home to take the necessary first step. His head rested on his hands that rested on the counter, about a foot from the toad.

Light tan with dark brown splotches. Wrinkled, warty skin that bulged in odd places. The toad stood on the counter, legs bowed under its weight, one wide eye focused on Tim’s looming head.

He stared, studying the toad for at least 15 minutes. He read the box again. ‘Put a drop of fluid (saliva or blood) in its mouth’. His stomach quivered at the sentence. Blood was out of the question. It would have to be saliva.

Tim took in a breath, held it, and reached for the toad. When he felt the bumpy, dry skin he pulled his hand back. He started breathing again. What kind of owner can’t stand touching their Menagerie?

Committed, Tim grabbed the toad and lifted it from the counter. The legs dangled, and it gave a small chirp in protest.

“I guess if you’re going to be my Menagerie I need to name you,” Tim said. He turned the toad in his hand, examining the amphibian from every angle. He lifted it high and looked at its underside. “I guess you’re a male. I hope you’re a boy. That narrows down my choices by fifty-percent.”

He put the toad back on the counter. “You look like a... Glen. Your name is Glen. Now let’s get this over with.”

Tim rubbed his tongue against his teeth, building up saliva. He put the tip of his index finger into his mouth and withdrew a moistened fingertip. Next, he put his finger to the mouth of Glen, but it was clamped shut. He pressed his finger against Glen and the toad slid backwards, but his mouth still didn’t open. Tim put his free hand over the toad’s head and lightly pressed. Glen’s mouth opened, and his tongue came out. Like lightning, Tim shoved his wet finger in the open mouth then as quickly pulled it out.

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