Bewildering Stories Contest 3:
Pastiche on Robert A. Heinlein’s
Tunnel in the Sky

by Clyde Andrews

The following is a “vignette,” a scene that is not a complete story in itself. As such it would not qualify as a Contest entry. However, it represents an exercise in style based on Heinlein’s model.

Rod felt a pressure, at first annoying, then as the world around him revealed itself, became more comfortable. As he left the tunnel, however, he heard a cracking sound, like a sound glass makes when it splinters: his jacket had caught against the side of the gate.

“Damn!” Rod cursed as he fumbled in his pocket.

Sure enough, just as he feared, his mobile phone had suffered in that unfortunate mishap.

“There goes any chance I have to keep in touch with Jimmy should we get separated.” He cursed to himself again, and then added, “No text messaging even.”

Rod then noticed, to his chagrin, that Jimmy was nowhere to be seen.

“Oh, that just sucks... Just my luck!”

Rod, now painfully aware of Jimmy’s absence, finally surveyed his surroundings. Where had he found himself? What was he to do now without his ‘missing’ partner? And more importantly, how was he going to survive all alone on a strange world?

“Geez, Jimmy, you always were a pain in the arse,” Rod shouted. “What do I do now?”

He knew now was not the time for questions. Not yet. He needed answers, and quickly if he was to make a go of this. After all, he was top in his class and this was the final exam. He just had to survive, with or without Jimmy.

As he was about to leave the gate a whoosh of air pushed on his back, nearly knocking him down into the purple straw field he had landed on. A field that went as far as he could see in all directions with only a small clump of what he presumed were trees to the east disturbing the view.

He turned just in time to see the gate shut and dissolve like aspirin in water.

“What? That’s not supposed to happen... is it?”

“Who you talking to, Rod?”

Rod twisted quickly, only to be confronted by Sarah.

“You’re not supposed to be here... What’s going on?”

“I dunno, but I think there’s been an accident or something. Yeah, all I know is there was a power surge as I was walking through the tunnel. I ended up here... Go figure, hey?”

“But... But...”

“Oh, c’mon, Rod, get a grip, will ya.”

“Hey, I’m in perfect control of myself. It’s just that... well, what do we do? You’re not supposed to be my partner. Will we lose points for this?”

“I think being on an alien planet is reason enough to make that a minor concern. We have to survive for two weeks, Rod. Now, are you with me or not?”

Rod, staring at Sarah for a long moment, then rubbed his chin as if to emphasise he was thinking about her proposal. He knew immediately she was right, but he didn’t want her to know that... not yet anyway.

“Mmm, okay, deal. I suggest we try and get to those trees by nightfall.”

“If they are trees.”

Copyright © 2006 by Clyde Andrews