*WHOOSH* It's a prompt from the future! "A knock at the door catches you off guard. Upon answering it, you're greeted by a man who says he's from the future—and he can prove it. More important, he says he has information that will save your life." Okay so I didn't follow this prompt right down to the last detail, but I liked how it turned out.
Matt sat on his couch, sinking into the folds and staring mindlessly at his TV. He had just woken up, after all, so his brain wasn't completely set on conquering the world quite yet. Regardless, he was still quite happy. Today was his day off of work! So now he could just do nothing all day and relax for once in his life.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8zoFXCbXF
The TV program displayed a cartoonish animal running away from another. The comical style and jokes occasionally brought a smile to Matt's face. It was quite charming. Yessir, Matt thought. He could stay in this position all day, excluding snack breaks.
Ding dong.
The sound came from the front door. Matt groaned, stretching and dragging his feet over to the door. With a sigh, he opened it, and was suddenly greeted by a burst of vividness an excitement.
"You there! Sir! It is I, Buckin Jr., here from the future to assist you in your life!"
"What." Matt stared at the fluorescent man. He was wearing rainbow overalls with a bright red shirt, as well as more eyeshadow than any man should ever wear.
"I've come from the future, dear boy, an-"
"The future?" Matt leaned against the door, scoffing. "Prove it." The man smirked.
"Why don't I show you instead? My time machine's right over there, let's hop in."
"You think I'm an idiot? No. Get lost, creep." Matt went to shut the door.
"Ah, I wouldn't do that. Today is your day off of work, right?" Matt stopped. He opened the door.
"How did you know that?" he asked.
"Future." The man shrugged.
"Just who are you?" Matt asked.
"Why, I've already introduced myself. I'm Buckin Jr., here to save your life!"
"Sounds like a stupid name."
"My father never was clever."
"Well," Matt mused. "I suppose I might tag along then. Just let me-"
"Great!" Buckin Jr. exclaimed. "Let's get right to it then!" Before Matt could react, Buckin Jr. had taken hold of his wrist and yanked him out the door. Matt tried to object, since he was still in his boxers, but Buckin Jr. ignored him, and instead pulled him into a bright pink car. The colour seemed to match Buckin Jr.'s style.
"Hold on tight." Buckin Jr. flicked on some switches that would never be in a normal car. Matt felt himself accelerating, and simultaneously his vision started to fade. Matt blacked out before he saw anything else.
He woke to a colourful room full of various gadgets and gizmos. Everything seemed to be whizzing about in a friendly manner, bouncing to and fro. But Matt was not up to this. He was still in his boxers, and now feeling very unsettled.
"Where am I?" he asked to no one in particular.
"The future…" Buckin Jr. said. "…of children's toys! Lookie at what we got here – a teddy bear set to hug and talk with your child! And what's behind this curtain? Why, a plane that never stops soaring around them (batteries not included)! Whaddaya say, chum? Are you interested in any of my fine wares?" Matt was simply dumbfounded. The wares would be interesting and perhaps somewhat intriguing to him if he were in an actual toy store. But instead this man had taken him hostage just to sell him a cheap toy.
"I don't even have kids," Matt said angrily. "and I'm not interested. I'll be seeing myself out now, thank you very much!"
"Oh…you don't have kids?" Buckin Jr. seemed truly surprised.
"No. I'm only 23."
"What year is it?" he asked. Matt scoffed, saying, "You should know, Mr. Time Traveler. It's 2016!"
"Oh," he nodded to himself, as though a puzzle piece had been put in place. "That explains it."
"What?" Matt pushed, still frustrated by the situation at hand.
"I went back ten years earlier than I should have. Hey…I'm really sorry about this."
"Pssh, yeah, right. Go back home, con man."
"It seems that would be the best thing to do now, wouldn't it? Step outside, you'll be right outside your house."
"Right." Matt said unbelievingly. He opened the door, stepped outside, and was shocked yet again. He was right outside his front door. He glanced back at where he came from, only to see that it was the bright pink car he had gone into earlier. Buckin Jr. laughed when he saw his face.
"Ha! I'll see you in ten years, Fredrickson." And with that, his car glowed, and bit by bit dissolved before Matt's eyes. Matt could only have theories on how that man knew his last name. When it was completely gone, Matt went up to the space to check if it was really gone. He waved his hand where it was. Yep. It was gone, alright.
His mind still reeling, Matt went back inside his house. It was the same as ever. He walked through to the kitchen, opening the fridge. As he bent down, a small paper fell out of his shirt pocket. Curious, and knowing he never had anything in there to begin with, he picked up the card.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmaHdoP9ZhO
It looked just as colourful as that Buckin Jr., with a rainbow outlining the golden phrase:
Buckin Jr.'s fine toy crafters! In business since 2026 and well into the future!
I enjoyed this story. Buckin Jr. seems like a fun guy. Fun...gi...anyways, see you tomorrow.
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