Mechanically Inclined

Summary

Enjoy this short story by Hellen Heels.

The hand she used in tapping him had fingers that were colored in red nail polish, the same color of the lipstick on her full lips.

Moses sat up and pulled off the earphones from his ears. This was when she stopped tapping his knee and straightened up.

"So you are alive after all?" she wondered aloud.

"Alive? I don't understand. Why do you say that?"

"Ever since I arrived here, I have been calling out aloud, wondering if there was anyone around. But you didn’t respond."

"I apologize. I was listening to music."

"And apparently also dead to your surroundings. Do you know how many times I called out at you when I spotted you inside this vehicle?"

"You called out to me?"

"Of course I did. Several times. I almost thought you were dead or unconscious because your eyes were closed."

"Dead? Are you serious?"

"What was I supposed to think? You were not responding to me."

"I am really sorry about all that."

She wrinkled her nose and waved aside his entreaties. "Please keep your apologies to yourself. Where is Andrew?"

"Do you mean my boss?"

"Your boss? Who is your boss?"

"He owns this workshop. And his name is Mr. Andrew."

"I see. Well, thank you for wasting my time letting me know that you are a mere apprentice here. And yes, I am looking for Andrew, your boss. Where is he?"

"He just rushed off to attend to an emergency."

"I see. And you have no idea of how soon he will be back?"

"I really cannot say. Is there anything you need?"

"Yes, of course. Or why else do you think I am looking for Andrew?"

"Well, I was only asking to see if I could help out."

"Help out?"