Friday Flash Fiction: Prequel

Prequel
By Gareth D Jones


“Well, that’s ruined the suspense,” said Oliver as the projection of his older self vanished from sight.

“Ruined the suspense?” Guido asked, flabbergasted. “It was stupendous! We know the project will work! That was you, come back to tell us of your success!”

“Precisely!” Oliver said, worried at how bald he was to become in later years. “The project is going to work. I’ll be there to se it finished. Now, where’s the challenge?” The two walked as they talked, heading from the lab, the site of their extraordinary encounter, to the break room for a much-needed coffee to steady their nerves.

“I don’t understand,” Guido protested. “Nothing can stop you!”

“Who wants to know the end while you’re still in the middle?” Oliver said, sipping at his coffee and leading the way back out. Guido grabbed his drink and followed. “That’s why prequels are never as good.” They emerged onto the roof terrace. “You know the main characters are going o be in the next film, so there’s no suspense!”

“You know you won’ die, at least until after the project is finished,” Guido realised, awestruck.

“Exactly!” Oliver strode to the edge of the roof and leaned over the barrier, looking out across the vast car park. “Watch this!”

Guido’s coffee fell to the floor and splashed across his foot as Oliver suddenly vaulted the railing and disappeared over the side of the twenty storey building.

###

Sixteen years later, the time portal project was a success. The first message back to the past had been sent, telling Oliver and Guido that their work would succeed. Guido turned off the portal generator and sighed. Next he powered down the holographic generator and the carefully constructed likeness of an older Oliver vanished. It was such a shame that he had not lived to continue his work.



The End