Fast Fiction: The Long Climb
Richard Mallinson tells the story of a man who had chosen to climb the highest building in town.
He had chosen the highest building in town and is now halfway up.
The surface is smooth and his only grips come from the suction pads on his hands and feet.
Each pad has to be eased off the surface and then placed in a new position slightly higher up.
Naturally, progress is slow.
A crowd has gathered on the pavement, among them some of his office colleagues.
‘He looks like a crab,’’ one of them says,
The rescue services are present but can’t do anything because he is out of range. Now their chief is yelling at him through a hailer.
Some of the language is abusive.
After a while the tirade stops. He will insist on an inquiry when -
Now it is dark and they have put the spotlight on him. People in the crowd are pointing up, as they do on these occasions.
New arrivals drink, sing, dance and blow trumpets. They will be glimpsed on a regional tv news bulletin.
He begins to have doubts. Why does he need to continue? He knows that he has a point to prove - but what is it?
Now he feels tired and cold and begins to shiver. What should he do? Carry on all the way to the top? Or make for one of the windows, which somebody will surely open for him?
Then there will be warmth, food and drink.
‘What’s your opinion, Teddy,’ he asks over his shoulder, ‘should we go on or not?’
