Hurrying down a dimly lit corridor that smelt of disinfectant was not how Stanley Shrew planned to spend his Friday night. He liked to delude himself up until then that he had a life- but, sadly, no.
The brief rush gave Stanley time to reflect on his life.
40 years old, mousy hair already thinning, falling out in unsightly, soft clumps. Average height. Average face. Extraordinarily thin. His long spindly fingers clutched his notebook and pen closer to his chest as he tripped over his shoelaces.
Can’t even tie up his own shoes. Stuck in a dead-end job, no girlfriend… Still lived with his mother! But this- this story could change his life! He could see it all: article, documentary, film! He’d be set for life…
“Set for life…” He whispered longingly, licking his chapped lips.
Door.
Stanley stopped abruptly. He straightened his blazer, adjusted his cap and hitched up his trousers, just in case.
He rapped twice on the steel door. A series of clicks could be heard as every single lock and bolt was released from the inside. At this Stanley frowned. Surely the locks would be on the outside rather than within reach of the patient?
“Mr. Shrewd?” Inquired a thick Russian accent.
“It’s, it’s Shrew,” Stanley squeaked in reply. My god, he thought, even my voice is pathetic!
The door swayed open and Stanley was blinded temporarily by the bright, white light that illuminated the cell. When his eyesight eventually returned a large, broad shouldered gorilla of a man bundled into a white lab coat faded into view.
Tall, handsome, muscular- Stanley hated him already.
“Doctor Obanoffskii,” The ape grinned, extending a hairy melon sized hand which Stanley shook uncertainly.
“No,” Stanley frowned (although secretly delighting in the man’s stupidity) “I’m Mr. Shrew.”
At this Doctor Obanoffskii- which was the name of Gorilla-man, as Stanley later found out to his great embarrassment- boomed with laughter. Poor Stanley nearly jumped out of his skin; the laugh was like the crack of a whip!
“Ah…” Doctor Obanoffskii chuckled, “British humor...”
To which he released Stanley’s hand from his vice-like grip and suddenly grew serious.
“I trust you have no items from the outside world that could be used as a weapon?”
“Ah, no,” Stanley said, massaging his hand. “I had quite an… extensive search on the way in. Although what I could store there of all places will remain a mystery.” Stanley waggled his pen, “Had to fight tooth and nail to keep this!”
Obanoffskii nodded. “Be sure to keep it away from her.”
“Um…” Stanley hesitated, “If she’s so dangerous, why are the locks on the inside?”
YOU ARE READING
Origin (ON HOLD)
ActionLife was normal for Stanley Shrew, disappointing and uneventful. He even had his Mother making her lamb stew for tea that night. Then he stumbled across the story. The big story. The story that could change his life for the better. All he had to do...
