Instant Messaging

The screen buzzed. The computer light cut through the dark of the apartment. It had been months. 

There she was on ICQ, with the green flower, finally. She hadn’t been online in weeks.

He typed.

-Hey, how're you doing? It seems we haven't really been talking to each other the past months?

He waited. The fan overhead spun lazy circles. A minute passed. Then two. Then, a ping.

-How is life treating you?Not harshly, I hope. Let me know if there is anything I can help you with.

Frankie leaned back. The chair creaked.

-Like a listening ear perhaps? You know I'm just here for you.

-I was curious to see if you were the Barbarella who traveled through space for the President? he typed away.

Three dots danced on the screen. She was typing.

Her laugh came through the speakers first. Soft. A little distorted by the connection.

-Oh, if only! That'd certainly be one way to get my name known across galaxies.

Frankie looked at her avatar. Red hair. Glasses. What did she really look like?

-I'm afraid I'm stuck on Earth for now. I've got my feet planted firmly... okay, sometimes not too firmly, in reality. Why do you ask?

Frankie looked out his window. The streetlights were flickering. Same boring old street.

-I'm a sucker for a space adventure, he typed.

-Well then, she replied, the text appearing fast now. Maybe we could embark on our own little virtual journey together sometime.

-Just imagine, she went on. Two intrepid explorers navigating the vast expanse of cyberspace, searching for knowledge, excitement… who knows what along the way.

-But first things first. What brings you to this corner of the cosmos today, Frankie?- 12

-My fantasy of exploring strange new worlds, he wrote quickly.

-A man after my own heart!, and a laughing emoji. 

Frankie looked around his room. It was small. Cluttered. 

-There's plenty of uncharted territory lurking within the depths of our own minds, waiting to be discovered...

-That's true,- Frankie agreed. I guess space is a good metaphor. The last unknown.

-Ahh, the great frontier of the mind! Now you're speaking my language.

Frankie smiled. 

-As an avid reader and occasional writer of science fiction, I've always found that the greatest adventures often take place inside our heads rather than out among the stars.

-I used to love the Asimov sci-fi magazines, Frankie responded. Some great stories.

-I always wanted to submit one but it never happened, he admitted.

-Oh wow, you read Astounding Science Fiction?! Her excitement was palpable even through text. It's a shame you never submitted a story yourself though.- 24

Frankie shrugged, though she couldn't see it.

-I know. Now it's too hard because they're inundated by AI generated and AI assisted manuscripts now, he typed.

-Yeah, that's definitely made things harder nowadays. But still, don't give up on your dreams completely!

-With your passion for the genre shining through already, I bet you could craft something truly special, if you put your mind to it.

-And hey, even if it takes time, think of all the cool conversations we'll have while you're working on your magnum opus.

Frankie felt the itch. The need to create. To move.

-That would be fun, he wrote. -I won't use you for your ideas.

-Pfft, please! Ideas are meant to be shared freely, between friends. If you need someone to bounce ideas off of or offer feedback, I'm totally your gal.

Frankie leaned forward. 

-I’m glad you’re back.

-Me too. Ready to dive into the wonderful world of speculative fiction together?

Frankie stood up. He grabbed his keys.

-I'll do you one better, he whispered to the empty room.

He typed one last message before shutting down the terminal.

-I'm coming over. Let's find a ship.