Fast Fiction: Getting Out
It’s one phobia after another in Richard Mallinson’s compact story.
'You should get out more,' I said.
'I don't want to get out more,' he said.
'Suit yourself but don't blame me if you - '
'If I what?'
'If you forget what the outside world looks like.'
*
'Good heavens,' I said when I met him in the street. 'You're out.'
'Yes, obviously.'
'Well, you never used to go out.'
'That's true . . . Then you told me that I should get out more. And that's what I'm doing . . . getting out.'
*
'How long have you been like this?' I asked.
'Like what?'
'Afraid to stay indoors.'
'Since I got out more and overcame my agoraphobia.'
'And now I take it that you suffer from claustrophobia?'
'That's it ... One bloody phobia after another.'
*
'I think I'll go on the London Eye,' he said. 'Care to come?'
'Count me out,' I said. 'I suffer from vertigo.'
