The monkey speaks
Hello everyone, Animeman73 here again. The Roll of the Dice challenge continues. This time the number I rolled was a 6. So, my friend from Discord Tsukuyomi Skye rolled up.
For their challenge they came up with the Genre of Sci-fi/Comedy. The word they chose was Monkey. Interesting combination I say. So, let’s see where my imagination takes me on this one. Get ready as the Roll of the Dice challenge continues.
Walking down the long hallway of space station Vargas, Graham Dachary yawned. “Another day for the humble owner of High-Speed Postal service.” The sandy blonde man thought out loud.
The owner of the company made a turn and headed down a long passageway. The sandy blonde man looked on the level below him. He noted the various people going to shops in the station.
He also noticed the garden spots and the fountain nearby that bubbled with water. The water spewing fountain looked like a six-legged beast letting out a silent roar. Graham shook his head and went on his way.
His walk brought him to a small store area with a large digital sign that read “High-Speed Postal Service’.
The company motto was we get it there fast. But he wasn’t feeling very fast or enthusiastic today. “I’ve been out here near Ganslon-12 for six years. I should be more prosperous than I would’ve been back on Mars.”
“Morning Graham,” called a female voice a short distance from him. He turned to see a chubby blonde woman opening her own store. “Oh, morning Zoe,” he greeted in a deadpan way.
“Something on your mind?” The baker asked.
“Another day of the same old-same old!" He complained.
"So many opportunities in this era of space travel and exploration. Yet I'm nowhere near where I should be. I should be rolling in credits by now.
"But here I am in one of the biggest trade hub stations in the galaxy. And I’m no closer to that big score than I was when I first came here.”
Zoe smirked and answered, “My Grandpa always told me that nothing happens overnight. Everything takes time, even in the 22nd century. Keep working away at it, you’ve got a good thing going with this Postal company of yours.
"People like the fact you get packages to and from anywhere so fast.”
Graham nodded and said, “I hope you’re right. Anyway, we’d both best get to work, the customers won’t wait.”
With those words Graham unlocked and lifted open the door to his shop. He walked in and turned on the speaker system for the station. He went behind the store counter and pressed a red button on it.
Part of the counter slid away to reveal a computer terminal. “Morning Gus,” he said to his A.I.
“Yeah-yeah-yeah good morning.” The grouchy A.I. responded.
Graham sighed and shook his head. “Gus I’m having a bit of the blues as is. Why do you have to do this to me? Show me if we have any impending deliveries.”
“All right-all right I’ll show you! Never mind the heating system isn’t regulated. Who cares if the Earth-like atmosphere isn’t maintained?
"If it makes you feel better oh wise one, I’ll do it! And don't bother with a fact there's an ion storm nearby which is giving me a headache!”
Of all the A.I. systems I could’ve bought for my business I end up with one that’s a card-carrying know-it-all sauerkraut! Graham thought in annoyance.
“Good morning boss!” shouted a familiar voice.
A black-haired man walked into the store. He wore the attire of High-Speed Postal Service. He flashed one of his many goofy smiles at his employer.
It was all Graham could do to keep from grimacing. Gus may have been a sourpuss, but Liam Mortimer was chipper about everything.
“Good morning, Liam,” he said with a sigh.
“Hey don’t be so grumpy Mr. Dachary it’s another beautiful day at one of the most glorious trading stations in the galaxy!”
“If you say so,” Graham said with a sigh.
He turned back to the computer. He noted several red blinking deliveries on his screen. The man’s face furrowed in surprise.
“Okay, I guess this morning won’t be so boring after all. Looks like we have a whole bunch of deliveries coming in.”
He looked on his only employee and said, “Liam activate the receiver device. We have several packages coming in. Then put them on the shelves.”
Liam nodded and chirped, “I’m on it!”
The black-haired man went through a door into a back area. A flash of white light came from within. Moments later Liam brought the package out.
He placed it on a shelf. Graham looked over the package which read:
For: Inspector Eeeg Orgtun.
The human’s face furrowed, “What kind of weird name is that?”
“No weirder than the names for some of the other alien races who use this station boss.” Liam chimed in.
“Fair point,” Graham conceded.
“Hey, I’m still here you know, I deserve some attention too! But you'd rather ignore me for mister sunshine, rainbows, and unicorns!” Gus growled in annoyance.
Graham turned back to the computer. “Sorry Gus busy with the daily activities of running this place.”
‘Oh, the daily activities of running this place. Who do you think gets the deliveries and sets them up to get ported in? What am I chopped liver or something?”
“An overeager employee, and a cynical A.I. in my life. How could things get any worse?” Graham muttered out loud as he facepalmed.
"I heard that, are you unappreciative or what?” Gus quipped.
He looked up in time to see a big burly man in a jumpsuit of a Galactic Inspector walk in. What set him apart was the green furred Monkey.
It wore the same attire as the man yet fit for its size. The green haired monkey sat on the man's left shoulder.
Graham put on his best smile and said, “Good morning, Galactic Inspector. Welcome to High-Speed Postal Service, is there something I can help you with?"
The big man shook his head. He had a thick English accent from back on Earth when he spoke. “Not for me, for my companion.”
The monkey in question clambered down an arm and onto the table. “Get this monkey off my back!” Gus quipped in annoyance.
Graham’s face furrowed. “Um yes, your pet monkey what would it like?”
The shop owner got a surprise when the monkey spoke up in British-style English. “It would like its Encyclopedia Galaxia, thank you very much!”
At this Graham gaped. He’d seen a lot of strange lifeforms come through, but a talking monkey was something he’d never expected.
At that point Liam came in with another package. As he set it on a shelf, he looked on the creature and gaped.
“Whoa, a Simeon! I’ve heard of your race. You only joined the Galactic Alliance six months ago.”
The monkey stood up and beamed with pride. “Very true sir, and I am a proud Simeon! I am Galactic Inspector Eeeg Orgtun.”
Graham’s eyes widened. He turned around and found the package. He brought it out and set it on the counter. "Would this be your package sir?”
The Simeon nodded and sighed in relief. “At last, I’ve been asking for this damn thing for over a month! Bloody bureaucrats back on Simnia are as slow as a Slothbug!”
The head of High-Speed Postal couldn’t help but snicker. This creature sounded like the inspectors from Earth and Mars. They complained about the bureaucrats from said worlds as much as this creature was.
He opened it up and saw the small book within. “All this for one Encyclopedia?” he asked out loud.
“Not exactly,” The Simeon added.
Graham took off the wrapping and gaped as he saw the weapons within. Graham stared at the sentient monkey his face deathly pale. He was about to say something, but the Monkey-like creature cut him off.
“I can assure you it’s all legal. I’m a Galactic Inspector, and my people aren’t about to go breaking the laws of the Alliance!”
The creature turned to his human companion and nodded. From a pocket the man brought out a holographic document device. Graham called out, “Gus.”
“Yeah-yeah, I’ll scan it give me a moment, geez!”
Part of the desk opened and a scanning device popped out. A soft beam of light scanned the digital file presented. “Okay boss, everything checks out.”
Liam explained, “Of course it would, these are Galactic Inspectors. They break the laws of the Alliance they're in a galaxy of trouble with their superiors.”
“May I please take my things now?” The Simeon asked in mild impatience.
Graham smirked and chimed in, “Hold on Inspector. The law or not you have to play by the rules. Which means you have to show the credits.”
“All right what’s the fee?” Eeeg asked in resignation.
“Considering how far it traveled 500 credits here and now for delivery services.”
“Five hundred credits?!” the Simeon yelped in outrage
“Why that’s what you humans would call highway robbery! It should be thirty credits at least!”
Graham shook his head. “The only way it would be that is if I wanted to lose my shirt and business.”
The Simeon looked over himself and his face paled. “Oh dear, I seem to have left my credits in my other uniform.”
Graham raised an eyebrow. I’d heard Simeons can be a little tricky, so I'll call this out.
Graham took the book and put it back in the box. “In that case you won’t get your stuff until I get my credits. Sorry but I have to make a living too you know.”
“What have I told you sir,” The human inspector chided.
“Shut up Watson and give me a hand here!” Orgtun snapped in a sour tone.
The man shook his head. “Sorry sir but I paid for that Banana Cream Pie you ate earlier. I told you we should’ve stopped at that Credit ATM before we came in here.”
The Monkey grimaced and snapped, “Can I help it if bananas and things made with them are tasty and addicting!”
The Monkey looked up at Graham. “One moment,” Inspector Orgtun said in a sheepish tone.
The creature hopped back on Watson’s shoulder and the two headed out. “Well at least you’re not letting anyone take advantage of you Graham. Not that it counts for much!” The A.I. quipped.
Liam and Graham snapped, “Shut up Gus!”
A short time later the Galactic Inspectors returned. The monkey set down two red crystalline coins. Gus did a scan of them.
“The pieces are legitimate credits Graham.” Gus growled.
The owner of High-Speed Postal took the coins and opened a drawer on his side. He stuck the coins in. He then brought out the book and weapons.
The Simeon hopped down and took everything. “About blasted time! How the blazes am I supposed to do my job without proper equipment! I swear these bureaucrats only think about their pocketbooks rather than the practical!”
The Simeon then hopped back on the left shoulder of the human. “All right Watson come along now, let’s get to the Central Precinct. The Chief will be awaiting us.”
The human stopped and fished out another holographic document. Activating it, a picture appeared. It showed a slimy looking Green skinned alien.
It had three yellow eyestalks and an inhuman mouth full of sharp teeth. Graham asked, “Who the heck is this guy?”
Watson explained, “That’s Xyrach Ooldogt. He’s wanted for smuggling Diamond Dust and Fraxith.”
Liam whistled. “Diamond Dust and Fraxith? Dude, I’ve heard of those substances, addictive and nasty!”
The Simeon nodded his agreement before he spoke. “Exactly, if you see this creature on the station, please contact an Inspector at once!"
Graham nodded in confirmation. “Yes sir, we will if we see him.”
The Simeon said, “I can't say I approve of the prices. But we appreciate your cooperation and service, have a nice day.”
As they turned to leave the scent of baked goods wafted in from the hallway. “Hello, do I smell fried banana rolls?” Eeeg Orgtun asked.
“Oh God here we go again!” Watson muttered in consternation.
As they left Graham shook his head and smirked. “Well, another day at High-Speed Postal. But it’s not so bad after all.”
“That’s the spirit boss.” Liam added.
“Yeah-yeah whatever!” The cynical A.I. growled.
Well got it done in one day, not too shabby. I hope you appreciate this Sci-Fi/Comedy story, and I hope Tori appreciates it. The Roll of the Dice challenge continues next time.
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The Roll of the Dice challenge continues. Until next time I’m Animeman73, stay true to yourselves, stay classy, and God bless you all. The dice keep rolling.
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