X Factory
by Gareth D Jones
Twelve hours a day they worked. Every day. Their reward was that they could keep living. In vast caverns deep below the Earth’s surface, the remnants of mankind toiled for their survival. Some pumped huge bellows to circulate air; some gathered pitch from underground seams and made lamps; some distributed water; others tended to the crops of fungi that carpeted every available surface.For one person though, things were about to change. Morale had to be kept up. The workers needed entertainment. Dozens had applied for the job and now the final three applicants had just completed their final audition. Two men and a woman stood on the raised stone stage that looked out over the dingy dining cavern where anyone not working or asleep had gathered for the finale. There was clapping and cheering as three older men at the front of the hall deliberated their choice. Finally the eldest of them stepped up on to the platform.
“The judges have made their decision,” he said. “The winner of the audition is…” He paused dramatically. “Barnaby!”
Barnaby, a tall, youthful man with lanky black hair, leapt up and down excitedly while the crowd cheered. He was overjoyed. No more back breaking work for him. From now on he would be singing and entertaining the workers to keep up their morale.
For twelve hours a day.
Every day.
Gareth D Jones is from the UK. He has four young children, tropical fish and a stick insect. He likes writing flash fiction and drinks lots of tea.