IF TAKERS, REBOOT–ELSE, CLOSE. • by Avis Hickman-Gibb

Open–look around, any takers? No. Close.

Days passed.

Open–maybe now? No. Close.

Weeks passed.

Open–c’mon read my sign, read my sign! Any takers? No. Close.

Months passed.

Open–any takers, now? No. Close.

***

The battered robot lay slumped at the side of the space-dock–unheeded. The tiny gleam in its visual-function orbs fading. The harsh neon lights, hanging from the cavernous depot ceiling, winked on the body casing and twinkled on the sign hung around the hobo’s neck:

“Will process data for energy.”

Finally–the orbs whirred, and closed.

Avis Hickman-Gibb is a new writer, living in rural Suffolk, England. She gained a BSc. in Environmental Chemistry more years ago than she cares to admit and worked in the fledgling computer industry whilst still a babe-in-arms. She lives with her husband, son and two cats. She’s had stories published in Every Day Fiction and Shine! Magazines, and is currently working on a book of short stories. She is addicted to writing flash fiction.

Posted on March 22, 2008 in Science Fiction, Stories
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18 Responses to “IF TAKERS, REBOOT–ELSE, CLOSE. • by Avis Hickman-Gibb”


  1. DJ Barber Says:
    March 22nd, 2008 at 8:04 am

    Very nice little flash, Avis.
    “Any Takers?” like an old-time carnival. I liked it very much.

  2. Avis Hickman-Gibb Says:
    March 22nd, 2008 at 1:47 pm

    DJ Thanks

  3. mark dalligan Says:
    March 22nd, 2008 at 1:55 pm

    Clever piece. Very enjoyable.

    Cheers

    Mark

  4. Avis Hickman-Gibb Says:
    March 22nd, 2008 at 2:01 pm

    Thanks Mark

    Avis

  5. Bill West Says:
    March 22nd, 2008 at 2:06 pm

    Aww, Avis. I feel for this little robot.

    Great flash.

    Bill

  6. Avis Hickman-Gibb Says:
    March 22nd, 2008 at 2:12 pm

    Thank you Bill West. I felt sorry for him too.

    Avis

  7. Oonah V Joslin Says:
    March 22nd, 2008 at 3:03 pm

    Wonderful stuff Avis. Sorry to come late, I ddidn;t get my mailing…
    Oonah

  8. Avis Hickman-Gibb Says:
    March 22nd, 2008 at 3:28 pm

    Thanks Oonah, glad you liked it.

  9. mail@jenniferwalmsley.co.uk Says:
    March 22nd, 2008 at 11:01 pm

    A great flash, Avis. Poor robot.

  10. Rena Sherwood Says:
    March 23rd, 2008 at 7:08 am

    Interesting flash. I wonder how the robot got to the gutter?

  11. Avis Hickman-Gibb Says:
    March 23rd, 2008 at 8:04 am

    Maybe I’ll write that one soon Rena! Glad it sparked you.

  12. Nicholas Says:
    March 23rd, 2008 at 10:23 am

    Funny and sad.

    I love flash pieces like this that can be humorous and depressing simultaneously (as I tried to pull off in “Spring Funeral: An After-Xmas Special”).

  13. GMoney Says:
    March 24th, 2008 at 5:08 am

    Nice simple bit of flash. I’m picturing this small little tramp robot sadly dying in the corner. Asimov might have chuckled at this one!

  14. Avis Hickman-Gibb Says:
    March 24th, 2008 at 9:34 am

    GMoney – thanks for that.

  15. Sarah Hilary Says:
    March 25th, 2008 at 1:44 am

    So sweet and sad, Avis! Loved it.

  16. Avis Hickman-Gibb Says:
    March 26th, 2008 at 3:27 am

    Thanks Sarah

  17. B.Teuscher Says:
    July 13th, 2008 at 10:52 pm

    I’ve always liked a lonely robot.

  18. Avis Hickman-Gibb Says:
    September 6th, 2008 at 11:33 am

    Thank you B.

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