[PM] Something along the lines of science fiction.

Hello, David. How are you doing today?

The polisher makes its way across the floor, guided by David, it leaves a smooth gleam as its trail. David looks at his reflection in the glass-like tile. Shame lies like a sheet of silk on his face. He quickly brushes the sheet away and replies.

"It was fine Paul, just fine." He smiles half-heartedly.

A puzzled noise hums from the machine.

You and I have worked together long enough, I can tell when you're lying.

He stops for a moment. Non existent tears stroke his face as he closes his eyes.

David. I consider you my friend. If you need to talk, talk to me.

David isn't fully paying attention to the polisher's reassurance. His thoughts are on older times. He's holding hands with his wife, so the two of them know that they are still with each other even when they don't see each other. Contrary to his children who cover their eyes with the palms of their hands and unveil them to shout out a peekaboo.

David

He solemnly replies, "Don't worry about me, Pauly, let's just get back to work. The two friends make their way across the halls that seem to stretch on to infinity until interrupted abruptly by a wall. There is no conversation left for the two of them to make tonight. The scooter-like sound is all that echoes through the hall besides a small stereo singing Beyond the Sea by Bobby Darin.

David and Paul say their goodbyes for the night. David makes his way to the car, but does not yet drive away. He looks down at the passenger's seat beside him. He thinks back to times when some one usually sat there, whether it was his beloved wife in her final days, his maturing children, or his former friends. They're all gone from his life now. But Paul remains reliable as any tool or machine.

So much more than a machine Inscription on Paul's back. For David that couldn't be more true.

/r/WritingPrompts Thread Parent