Daily Flash Fiction 9/30/21 W/C 259 |
Featured in "Mystery Newsletter (October 13, 2021)" Mystery The rocket sits on the launch pad. It’s been there all night. “We’re at a critical juncture. It’s now or never. Someone needs to figure this out.” “Colonel, we’ve tried everything. It’s a mystery. Nothing is working.” Everyone in the control room waited for the Colonel’s directions. No one touched a dial. No one talked on the phone. No one touched a computer. “Everything? You’ve tried everything? I doubt that. If you’ve tried everything the blasted thing would be in the air.” She paced the floor. Suddenly a phone rang. Lieutenant Andersen answered, then passed the phone to Colonel Winchester. “Yes, I see. Thank you.” Colonel Winchester left the control room without a word. She made her way to the launch pad. Standing on the pad was a maintenance man. “So they tell me you know the answer to our problem,” said Colonel Winchester. “Yes, Ma’am. It’s really quite easy. I’m surprised no one thought of it earlier. I think I solved the mystery.” A few seconds passed. “Well, what is it?” “Well, see, when the last budget was passed, there was some talk of cutting the space program. So, as a joke, someone in the office of space tourism put in this here box,” said the maintenance man. He indicated a small box with a coin slot. “A coin box?” “Yes, ma’am. You have to put in a quarter. Once you do that, the rocket will launch.” He smiled. After a moment of disbelief, Colonel Winchester yelled. “Well, don’t everyone just stand around! Does anyone have a quarter?” |