A fictional article I wrote for an online magazine

A tablet in Space

When Jock Jones was selected to be the one to travel into space, he kissed the cleaning lady on both cheeks and ran through Kennedy Space Centre.

Imagine that…chosen above all others.

When he calmed down, a thought struck him. My followers… I’ve got to tell my 22,000 followers on Facebook and Twitter the good news. They need to know I am off into space before they hear it on the news. Where’s my smartphone?

He grabbed his bag and pulled out his shiny new phone. The little screen lit up and seemed to smile at him. He had not been on for at least half an hour, and a shiver coursed through his body. Look at that…32 new messages!

He licked his lips and paused to savor the feeling of joy.

A top-notch astronaut with 22.000 followers and 32 unanswered text messages on his smartphone. The world needed to hear. Abdul from Iraq, Wolfgang the German guy, and Nevaeh rom Alaska… everyone.

***

The launch was a success. The noise had been deafening, and it had been a little scary. Jock’s helmet had gotten fogged up from the sweat on his forehead, but after a while he had gotten in calmer space-waters and his body relaxed.

He pushed the necessary buttons and checked the charts, but now there was nothing to do but to wait. In two days, he would arrive at the satellite where he would have to do some repairs, but that was in two days.

Jock didn’t mind. He was prepared. He had taken his tablet along for the ride.

It had just fit inside his space-bag and he pulled it out.

His followers would hear directly from Jock Jones in space. He chuckled when he started up his tablet.

He was in for a surprise.

What’s this? Where is Internet Explorer? His heart skipped a beat.

Ugly words appeared on the screen: “No Internet. Please check your connection.”

This is horrible. No connection?

Sweat dripped from his forehead, which instantly fogged up his helmet once again.

It can’t be the fault of the tablet.

It was brand new. The best of the best. But somehow, there was no connection. His followers wouldn’t hear from him.

He dropped his arms next to his spacesuit and stared despondently into the darkness.

He could still play Solitaire, of course. But he hated Solitaire.

“Jock?”

Who’s that?

“Jock?”

Jock’s left eye twitched a bit.

“Jock, what are you doing?”

It was a still but very firm voice.

Is that God? I am, after all, a lot closer to heaven here.

“Is that you, God?” He looked around the cabin.

“Of course it is me,” God answered. “What’s up Jock?”

Jock scratched at his helmet. What could he say? “I am unhappy, God!”

“Why?” God asked.

“Because my tablet doesn’t work!”

Jock knew he sounded ridiculous, but what else could he say?

There’s no hiding from God.

“Jock, you have to get your priorities straight.”

“Look at the stars, the moon, and the heavens. I made it all, but you do not see. You only see the digital heavens.”

Jock looked at his tablet. It still said: “Please check your connection.” What a stupid thing, that tablet!

He lifted his head and glanced through the windows.

It was breathtaking.

His eyes were opened to the enormous beauty of the universe. There was the earth as a blue ball hanging in space. And look at all those stars… Why had he not seen this before?

“God, I am sorry. I’ve got it all wrong!”

God didn’t answer, but somehow that didn’t disturb Jock.

There was joy again inside his chest. A sense of inspiration, but it had nothing to do with Twitter or Facebook. It was a different joy. It felt more real.

He picked up his tablet and slid it under his space-seat. Who needed Facebook, Twitter, or even a tablet if you were close to the creator of the universe?