Writing Sample: Science Fiction

Joy, the Mistress of the Air-Kiss, flowed into her home precisely one hour late.

Elaine watched the party noticeably pause as each of her guests absorbed the grand entrance. The men reacted as if performing an involuntary ballet, the lower halves of their bodies acting as supports for their swiveling heads. Those in the best self-control managed to restrict their responses to exaggerated rapid eye movements, but the less evolved men amusingly embarrassed themselves. The burlesque began with spilled drinks, and concluded when a mini-quiche ended up in someone's eye.

The women had similarly powerful, but opposite emotional responses, as if they were a school of tuna sensing the sudden approach of a Great White Shark. They noticeably shrank in posture, and as a group, scowled.

None of this was due solely to Joy's physical appearance, though that was formidable enough. Several years past the age of 40, Joy was airbrushing come to life, pretty in an inaccessible way, showing no lines, no wrinkles, no bags. She wore a simple black party dress, a Ralph Lauren classic with spaghetti straps and a bold neckline, but when Joy Tasker raised her hand in welcome, nothing moved. Elaine and her friends constantly bemoaned every sign of aging, but nothing was more feared than "arm-flop." Joy's avoidance of this fate was beyond blasphemy.

Even more disconcerting was the aura she radiated. It flowed off her like a wake from a speeding boat, leaving nothing unaffected. Making no obvious effort to act charismatic, she left people with a sense of servitude, as if she were a member of a superior species. The same women who felt an innate fear of her were also incapable of expressing their disquiet. Challenging Joy would just feel . . . wrong.

As Joy smooch-smooched her way across the room, Elaine found her initial impression confirmed: Joy was all-natural. You couldn't buy that glow, and Elaine would have bought it in a South Beach second. She would have pulled out her Platinum Card and screamed "I'll take it," no questions or prices asked. Elaine hated this feeling of envy, this obsequious need for Joy's approval. Then, with a sudden burst of courage, she moved to greet her nightmare.

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