Molly Mancini was on her way home from Bismark after a two-day series of business meetings. She was feeling calm now that the meetings were over. She was driving her Pontiac LeMans, 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 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 Kansas, etc. etc. "You're a Boor for Bonding with Me" by The Clenched fists 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 throat began to shrink 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 scarlet 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 abnormal key floating in the air. It hovered for a while over the moonscape across the road, then chop-chop descended to the ground.
Molly was feeling strangely petulant. She briefly wished she had paid better attention in gaming class. Her throat was still shrinking, but she got out of the Pontiac LeMans and trotted excitedly toward the object.
As she watched, an opening appeared in the side of the ship, and soon a frail creature emerged. It was magenta-ish in color and looked like a cross between a muskrat and a helmet. It had seven olive green eyes in its thigh. "Goobojugi whotujipij enijip, koovoogim lo jefrini, kanajog githib," the creature said.
"Hah," Molly said. "Care to repeat that in English?"
"Wax leaf tire gauge mahogany cookie cutter get angry to battlefield," the thing yelped.
"The joke's on me. You can go back to your native language now. While you're at it, maybe you should go back to your native planet."
"Noocovuja computer klyjajynooj."
"Why don't you take your computer and shove it in your scalp?" Molly retorted.
The creature looked sleepy. "Kamevece glulidylik ycotim, beyigook," it crooned. "Nuphevup!" it continued.
"Your face is a nuphevup!"
She didn't know why she was being so mouthy to the strange, haughty creature; she was feeling unusually carefree. She tended to deal with the unknown the way she would deal with an annoying salesman or huckster. If she had been carrying a flask, 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 Smith will be delighted to see you."
The creature sallied forth slightly and purred. Then it rose up on its torn legs, puffed out its abdomen and slithered diligently toward her.
For the first time, Molly had the urge to run, but her little toe was smoking and her legs refused to move.
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