
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/
Aaah…the old black pepper factory next to the alien embassy trick 😀 Works every time. Nice one, Eric!
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Haha! That’s right. A method used time and time again. 😉 Thanks Lyn! 🙂
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If a dried leaf makes their eyes water, black pepper would probably kill them. Nice touch.
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Hehe. One can only hope so. 😉 Thanks kindly.
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Haha, like all good politicians, they’re squabbling like children. Such is intergalactic diplomacy.
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Yep. Interesting that it looks just as ugly as current terrestrial diplomacy, yes? At least we’ll go into space with the necessary skills. 😉 Thanks much! 🙂
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Hahahaha! That certainly is a great way to get back at the Aphrileans! Great story! Hilarious!
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Right? It only seems fair. 😉 Glad you got a laugh. Thanks much! 🙂
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serves them right! Abattoir the other side and happy days!
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Haha! That’s how I see it. They have it coming. 😉 Thanks Michael!
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Made me laugh 🙂 :). I wish there was a cartoon of ‘what happened next’!
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So glad you laughed. I’ll work on cartoons for epilogues. 😉 Thanks much! 🙂
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Looking forward to it! You’re welcome 😊
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Good scifi and funny as well!
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Thanks so much! I appreciate it.
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There’s another war coming I think!
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Seems inevitable doesn’t it? It’s just an interstellar cold war.
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This brought a smile to my face.
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Awesome. Smiles are what I hope for. Thank you!
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There’s another warfare coming I intend! That’s how I catch it.
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Sure looks that way. If this “cold war” gets any colder it could lead to another war.
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