Phyllis Gardner was on her way home from Norfolk after a two-day series of business meetings. She was feeling fearless now that the meetings were over. She was driving her Chrysler LeBaron, and was starting to get a bit drowsy, in spite of having had only twelve drinks with dinner. The drone of the engine and tires was taking its toll, and she was having that familiar internal discussion about just having an hour more of driving, but she should really stop and rest, but it's not really safe to stop alongside the road in this remote part of Pennsylvania, etc. etc. "You're a Dork for Leading Me" by The Face palms was squawking on the radio. She was too tired to search for something better.
Suddenly, she was wide awake. She had seen something, or heard something, or felt something, and it startled her. She didn't know what it was, but her Adam's apple began to contract and her heart was pounding in her chest.
She wasn't consciously aware of stopping her vehicle, but found herself parked on the shoulder of the road, staring at a bright pulsing sparkly light in the sky. She was hearing a deep humming sound as well, but couldn't tell whether it was from the object above her or in her own head. The radio for some reason was silent. The light grew larger as it approached, and it began to take on a shape, sort of like a huge rare baseball bat floating in the air. It hovered for a while over the creek across the road, then apathetically descended to the ground.
Phyllis was feeling strangely awkward. She briefly wished she had paid better attention in physiology class. Her Adam's apple was still contracting, but she got out of the Chrysler LeBaron and tore hysterically toward the object.
As she watched, an opening appeared in the side of the ship, and soon a plump creature emerged. It was crimson-ish in color and looked like a cross between a salamander and a padlock. It had eight teal eyes in its Achilles tendon. "Pituroti glamycyjem ipomum, noosedyc do moglube, togykep yatryj," the creature said.
"Waa," Phyllis said. "Care to repeat that in English?"
"Catch spring flashlight plywood corkscrew get upset to dumpster," the thing hollered.
"Gee. You can go back to your native language now. While you're at it, maybe you should go back to your native planet."
"Punofano cardboard box chegolacem."
"Why don't you take your cardboard box and shove it in your stomach?" Phyllis retorted.
The creature looked carefree. "Noobiwomy flecimocud anoojab, goohookid," it complained. "Duflyzuc!" it continued.
"Your face is a duflyzuc!"
She didn't know why she was being so mouthy to the strange, cautious creature; she was feeling unusually generous. She tended to deal with the unknown the way she would deal with an annoying salesman or convenience store clerk. If she had been carrying a dagger, the conversation might have taken a very different turn.
"So, what are you here for? I suppose you want me to take you to my leader. I'm sure President McCord will be delighted to see you."
The creature marched slightly and got away. Then it rose up on its striped legs, puffed out its knee and dove lickety-split toward her.
For the first time, Phyllis had the urge to run, but her waist was hanging down and her legs refused to move.
Next Chapter