"The Man Who Hated the Moon" by Chris Ankney

“I’ve done it!” he yelled with a joy as he ran towards the door labeled Dr. Eric Wade. “I’ve done it!” he yelled again as he opened the door. “I’ve done it!” he yelled as Dr. Wade awoke with a start. He had fallen asleep on top of a stack of papers and one refused to let go as he lifted his head to see what all the yelling was about.

“Done what?” Dr. Wade asked through a yawn while wiping his eyes.

“The serum, Eric! I’ve finished it!” said Herman. He then added, “Come...quickly!” as he turned and fled the office with his white lab coat flapping in his wake.

Eric came panting into the lab after Herman, and his eyes grew big as they fell upon a glass container full of cherry-red liquid. “Do...Does it work?” asked Eric, amazed.

Though covered by a thick black mustache, the widening of Herman’s smile was visible.

"Of course it works. It’s perfect!”

“I would expect nothing less from you, Mushlam.”

*****

The serum that had Herman so excited was the solution to his mother’s problem. The cherry-red liquid held the secret to prolonged life. The drinker could still be killed, but not by age.

“I’m going to give it to mother tonight,” said Herman. He then cleared his throat, and his face grew red as he slowly added, “before...my...date.”

Eric was flabbergasted. In over twenty years of working together, he had never seen Herman with a woman. “You...You’re going on a date? Where?”

“I don’t know. I have to call her during my lunch break.”

Dr. Mushlam did just that. She suggested a 6:35 p.m. showing of a movie at the local theater, and, so excited about going on a date, Herman accepted. He didn’t realize that when the movie was over, night would be upon them and the moon would be shining bright.

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