Author's note: A while back, I participated in a challenge where the goal was to write a micro short story in one page or less. This was the result.
The hovercraft sped into a crater and kicked dust into the air. A salesman drove while his client watched the dashboard console.
"There's an overlook at the green," the salesman said. "It has a clear view of Earth. You ever see it?"
"Only in pictures," the client said. "What's it like?"
"Honestly," the salesman shrugged. "It's not much to write home about. They just let it go."
"That bad, huh?"
"Oh yeah, it's gone to shit now. You know how it is. People just didn't think the rules applied to them. It's still worth seeing, though. Makes me appreciate the colony."
Ping! The console got their attention and they stopped.
"Over there," the client said. To the right was his golf ball, camouflaged in a mound of ash. He hopped out and inspected the lie. It was a tough shot up a hill. He grabbed an iron and hit the ball. It hooked left and out of bounds. He cursed the golfing gods, and they continued on.
When they reached the top, orange cones levitated in front of them, and the console flashed a warning.
"Strange," the salesman said. "The green's closed. There's apparently debris from last night's shower."
"I didn't realize it was that bad," the client said. "Wanna turn back?"
The salesman looked around and didn't see anyone, so he engaged the thrust. "I'm sure it's fine," he said. "I'm a member. Besides, the view's worth it. It really puts things in perspective."
Photo credit: NASA/JPL
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