Two Can Play

Photo by: Pamela S. Canepa

The war with the alien Aphrileans ended thirty years before, though they and Humans still hated each other. This loathing manifested in non-violent ways.

Humanity’s Sheppard building, the tallest in all Human space, was destroyed during the war. The Aphrileans insisted on building their embassy on the site. They even placed lights in the shape of the Sheppard building. A subtle, nightly, jab at human dignity.

Looking up at the embassy’s lights from across the street, Vice Ambassador Bertram muttered to Ambassador Winton, “They love reminding us don’t they?”

The two diplomats always dreaded entering the embassy. Inside, they had to shower several times, then don unscented scrubs provided by the embassy. The sensitive Aphrilean sense of smell required it. The odor of a dried leaf could make the aliens’ eyes water.

“That’s alright,” said Winton, smiling beatifically. He smoked one last cigar before entering the building. “I made a deal with the city mayor.”

Bertram suddenly had a sneezing fit. “Yeah?”

“Yep. We placed a ground black pepper factory beside the embassy.”
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Written for Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers: https://flashfictionforaspiringwriters.wordpress.com/2017/09/18/fffaw-challenge-week-of-september-19-2017/