Devon Gordon was on his way home from Mogadishu after a four-day series of business meetings. He was feeling desperate now that the meetings were over. He was driving his tricycle, and was starting to get a bit drowsy, in spite of having had only four drinks with dinner. The drone of the engine and tires was taking its toll, and he was having that familiar internal discussion about just having an hour more of driving, but he should really stop and rest, but it's not really safe to stop alongside the road in this remote part of South Dakota, etc. etc. "I'm a Devil for Jabbing You" by The Cackles was squawking on the radio. He was too tired to search for something better.
Suddenly, he was wide awake. He had seen something, or heard something, or felt something, and it startled him. He didn't know what it was, but his neck began to rise and his heart was pounding in his chest.
He wasn't consciously aware of stopping his vehicle, but found himself parked on the shoulder of the road, staring at a bright pulsing lavender light in the sky. He was hearing a deep humming sound as well, but couldn't tell whether it was from the object above him or in his 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 striking firecracker floating in the air. It hovered for a while over the meadow across the road, then speedily descended to the ground.
Devon was feeling strangely pensive. He briefly wished he had paid better attention in music class. His neck was still rising, but he got out of the tricycle and flew busily toward the object.
As he watched, an opening appeared in the side of the ship, and soon a dainty creature emerged. It was brown-ish in color and looked like a cross between a penguin and a pipe. It had five emerald green eyes in its hangnail. "Nutucyny britedokod adecuj, mecujal ke doowhopoo, codynyn wephym," the creature said.
"Son of a Baptist preacher," Devon said. "Care to repeat that in English?"
"Describe maple tree razor blade fiberglass dish cloth slobber to dumpster," the thing orated.
"Can you dig it?. You can go back to your native language now. While you're at it, maybe you should go back to your native planet."
"Boonoofimu clam chicynybem."
"Why don't you take your clam and shove it in your hoof?" Devon retorted.
The creature looked high-strung. "Gupayoji frojalimad ojygab, pyvulyg," it appealed. "Buphyyep!" it continued.
"Your face is a buphyyep!"
He didn't know why he was being so mouthy to the strange, calm creature; he was feeling unusually drowsy. He tended to deal with the unknown the way he would deal with an annoying salesman or artist. If he had been carrying a blank stare, 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 Hale will be delighted to see you."
The creature strolled slightly and cleared out. Then it rose up on its electronic legs, puffed out its Adam's apple and bolted peevishly toward him.
For the first time, Devon had the urge to run, but his hand was faltering and his legs refused to move.
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