Each month, I buy a book of twenty stamps. I create twenty post cards. I write twenty short stories about them. I send them to twenty strangers. This is the twenty stamps project.

Request a postcard by sending your snail mail address to sean.arthur.cox@gmail.com or find me on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/SeanArthurCox

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Alien Accountant



The xenomorph had hatched from Wallace Carmichael's chest and hoped to wreak bloody havok on the Burmingham Hilton. A national accountants convention had settled in, and that meant ample opportunity to feed to its acidic heart's content. There was just one problem.

“Sorry,” said hotel security. “No one but convention attendees allowed on the convention floor.”

The alien hissed, outstretched its inner mouth, snapped its tiny fangs, and dripped acid onto the carpet, which sizzled and steamed. Security responded by pointing to a sign stating convention policy and issuing the alien a bill for the carpet.

Look pal, it's simple. No badge, no admittance.”

The xenomorph skulked off to the registration table, paid the sixty dollar fee, collected its two buffet and drink vouchers, a program guide, and hung its badge around its neck, figuring holding it would take hands away from the vital business of maiming.

As he walked through the main concourse, looking for someplace to start, a panel on new tax laws caught his eye. Obviously he didn't want to be caught unprepared come April, so he sat in. Then he checked his program and selected a few other panels that maybe he might want to attend, and he certainly couldn't miss the mixer that night, and how long does a bloodbath take, really? Half an hour? Forty-five minutes? Surely no more than an hour. It could wait. By the end of the week, he had killed no one, but had become a CPA.


- Originally mailed to S. Johnson of LaFayetteville, Indiana

No comments:

Post a Comment