The Space Between Stars

Short Story by Cassandra Clarke
Free from Strange Horizons

A scientist at a top secret facility (Area 51?) reminisces in the second person about his non-sexual friendship with a Vegas showgirl. 2,640 words before anything happens, and then only 650 or so words of actual story. I guess what I'm saying is that I don't know whether to be thankful this wasn't longer (as I could barely finish it as is), or whether to wish there was more to it, because after the first 3/4 of the story were out of the way, it wasn't bad, and maybe that could have continued. I'm really not sure.

Anyway, nothing happens, but it turns out that for a too-unexplored-here-to-differentiate-from-cliche story reason, the scientist will never see the girl again and can't go to Vegas anymore. But he wants to impress her even though he won't be with her. Not much character development from the narrator or girl, and there are no other characters. Not much character from those two to speak of anyway. The end has an interesting apocalyptic feel, but nothing is done with it except one nice image that isn't focused on enough.

Nothing to it. Not only will I forget I read this before to long (despite it taking a very long time for the wordcount), but there is really almost nothing to say about this one. Blah humbug.
1.5 small, cheap windchimes out of 5.