Flash Fiction #684 -- Drabble

 

The last speaker at the conference was not human.  This took me by surprise since aliens rarely show any interest in the languages of Antiqua Terra.

When John Smith took the podium, the auditorium fell silent. I wasn't the only one who hadn't expected a pseudonym. The tall alien towered over the podium.

"To the point," the Ractor said.  Chairs trembled at the sound of the bass-filled voice. "That is the core, the very gem of Earth's forgotten art form, the drabble. The subject is mobile, as is the language. Only one rule applies: 100 words exactly and no more."