So Easy

It would be so easy…

Alex tossed another rock into the “lake” and watched as it plopped down on the surface and hung there. Gretchen took no notice, but continued running her mouth at him like she was undisputed queen of the Universe.

Alex considered the process on which they were standing. The floating structure was effectively a boat that housed a powerful pump. The main oil plant would pump all of their dirty run-off out to this remote, man-made pond, and then the “boat” would separate the water and pump it back to the plant for re-use. What was left behind was a thick, black, tar-like sludge lake that was so solid it took almost five full minutes for Alex’s rocks to sink below the surface.

He’d tossed six rocks so far. They sink so satisfyingly.

Eventually, when too much sludge had accumulated, the entire lake would be buried.

And my rocks will never be seen again.

“Are you even listening to me Alexander?! My god, you are so inconsiderate! We’re supposed to be partners! We’re supposed to be working together! We’re all we’ve got out here in the middle of nowhere, and you can’t even be bothered to pay attention to me when I’m talking to you!”

Alex watched his seventh rock sink slowly, the sludge enveloping it in a warm, smothering hug until all traces of it had vanished into its slimy grave.

“Oh my god, Alexander, you are such an asshole! Look at me! Look at me!!”

Alex looked at her and wondered what he would tell Operations.

It would be so easy…