Fast Fiction: The Fetch
Ah, but who is this who comes knocking on the door?
Richard Mallinson tells a deliciously enigmatic story.
'Are you there, Gilbert?' I shouted after knocking at his door.
'No, I'm somewhere else,' he replied.
'Come on,' I said, 'open up.'
'Why should I?'
'Because I want to have a word with you.'
'A word? What for? Who are you, anyway?'
'Surely you must know who I am ...'
'Look, damn you, I wasn't expecting anybody today.'
'Oh, but I'm not just anybody, am I?'
'What d'you mean?'
'I mean I'm very special. You'll meet me only once.'
'But I don't want to meet you at all ... not yet, I've got a lot to do.'
'A lot to do! You've done nothing for 20 years and now it's time ... come on, open up.'
'No, no, not yet ... give me more time ... I want to do some wood carving and study cartography.'
'Sorry, Gilbert, but you won't be needing maps where you're going.'
Silence. Then, 'At least you have good manners,' Gilbert said as he opened the door.
'Yes,' I said, 'they are essential in this job.'
