I’m curious. What is it? A belt sander? A car engine?

lol, I was going to add more mechanical words, however they wouldn’t have known them.. It is an engine of some size, I gave you gasoline as a clue. I’m not sure how much of the old books are there, or readable.

I thought it was a car, although I think she’s making it wrong if it was clicking at any point. :P
I love the feel of this story and I always like the idea of ancients being sick. I’da never thought of making a modern day machine being useless in the future.

You have never had engine trouble. The injectors click when they fire, but without spark, or gasoline, or the turning of the camshaft, the engine won’t run. So she now has it turning the starter, thus the squealing, but still no ignition of the internal combustion.

I’m with Kevin: this definitely feels steampunkish.

good, its supposed to.

I love this scene! It demands a sequel.

By what I’ve read, I infer that this is the future, nature has taken back her place, but humanity still thrives in some fashion.

I imagined them living in trees, with names like Chirp and Timber.

Fun story. I like that you left “it” up to the reader’s imagination. Does it really matter what it was?

Paige is correct, “it” doesn’t matter. “It” only sets up the background setting. This story has great dialog, and character developement, which it seemed to be going for.

I’m not sure if this meet the “suddenly essential” requirement of the challenge, but it’s 5 pencils good anyway.

you’re right, i did leave out the essential part, oops. oh well, when inspiration strikes, you just go with it!

Great story and idea.
I like the characters and the interaction between the two. I hope they don’t starve and I hope there is a sequel!

I like the story, but the name-dropping felt artificial. How often do you address people you know by name, especially when they’re the only other person in the room?

eh, read the first one as an attention getter to snap the mechanic out of her trance, and the second as a sarcastic retort back at the hungry assistant, and let me use those names in peace! :P