“Is the temperature of your experimental tank okay?” the alien inquires.

“It’s fine,” I reply, words bubbling up through the strange pink liquid.

“Want to watch Twilight Zone re-runs while we test?”

“Nah.”

“Have to ask,” he explains. “New regulations.”

I sigh, remembering that I work tomorrow.

“Just probe already.”

---

A sci-fi micro story written by Hargreaves called “Maybe Next Time” is forthcoming in Daily Science Fiction magazine.