Super Red Wheelbarrow
By Jamie
"You're telling me you two are superheroes?" The chief of surgery raised her eyebrow and swirled her coffee cup. There wasn't much left to slosh around. Until I finish this, that was how long she'd agreed to listen.
"No, ma'am. Just super. We haven't done anything heroic yet. But we heard this morning about the case of the undocumented child in need of a transplant. We can save that child."
The chief pressed the cup to her lips. She let the warm liquid roll toward her mouth as she debated. Call psych? Call security? Or listen to more? She had prayed for a miracle. None of the other superheroes had a way to help the child. A few offered to fly the patient elsewhere or fly donor organs to the hospital. But there were no organs to match.
"How would you help?"
"We are Red Wheelbarrow, a partnership of powers. I have perfect mimicry of any activity I observe. Meaning if you let me observe a transplant surgery, I will be able to perform it. Video will work, though first-hand is best. I also have outstanding luck."
"Luck?" The chief sighed as she set her cup down. "That isn't a recognized power."
"It falls under the classification of sixth-sense for immediate danger. Knowing when I'm about to be unlucky is part of it. Give me a true-false test, and I'll get a perfect score by knowing which answers are unlucky. The odds are stacked in my favor all the time. That's how I met my power counterpart."
The one dressed in red, relaxing as a curled up ball on the floor, waved.
"Another one with luck power?" The chief turned her chair, intent on throwing the coffee cup into the trash bin behind her. It was full. The janitorial staff had never failed to empty it before. She mentally swore.
"No, ma'am. SC can regenerate. Also has the power to change blood type."
The chief held up her hands. "No. That's definitely not a recognized power. I have work to do and lives to save. You've taken up enough of my time."
"Your cup isn't empty. We have until you've finished. SC, hand." With blinding speed, a finger was removed and thrown across the room. There was a tiny splash as it landed in the nearly empty cup.
"What have you done!" The chief ran over. She took SC's hand, examining the wound. Another finger grew before her eyes. The chief glared.
"Thank goodness you really do have that power." She returned to her desk.
"The amputated digit is in your cup. You can test it for a blood type. And test SC, who will have a different type in a few minutes from now. The one the child needs."
"If that's true, why would I need you? I have trained surgeons."
"You aren't legally allowed to perform the surgery because of the child's immigration status. But it's unethical to release the patient. Lucky for you, I'm here."
"I can't just let unqualified people perform surgery. Even superheroes."
"Ever try to stop one?"
-----
The chief walked into the scrub room. "Everything is ready. This is all off the books. Officially, this OR is closed for repairs."
"And my red scrub cap?"
"Here. One last question. Why do you call your partnership of powers Red Wheelbarrow?'
"We really like the color red. It's good luck."
"Yes. And?"
"Wheelbarrow races. You can't do those alone. It's a two person effort that requires knowing and accepting each other. Move in sync or fail. Now, if you'll excuse me, we have a life to save."
This flash fiction is a take on Grey's Anatomy Season 15's Gus storyline set in an alternative universe where superheroes are known to exist.
FUN! Loved the take on the theme - wheelbarrow races were always so much fun and you definitley need that partnership. Great story!
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteI love the moral behind your story. We need each other and we accept each other. No one can do it alone. it reminds me of an old song that is no longer sung. No man is an island, no man lives alone.
Thank you for a very encouraging tale.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat G
What a clever take on "red wheelbarrow" and your analogy with the wheelbarrow race, it needing two to do it. I was rooting for this super duo to save the child.
ReplyDelete<3 <3 <3 <3
ReplyDeleteOh, that was funny. A Red Wheelbarrow superpower unit - how original!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this. And luck SHOULD be recognised as a super power.
ReplyDeleteThis was a perfect submission for this month. I loved the clever way you used the theme and the writing was sharp and clear. Really enjoyed this one.
ReplyDeleteLet's hope this child is saved. When the system won't allow the surgery, super hero steps in. Wish it were that simple in real life. The wheelbarrow race clinched it for me. It definitely takes two.
ReplyDeleteLoved your fantastic imagination and problem solving powers. Grey's Anatomy is a favourite of mine too. Hope this wonderful invention does come true some time in the future.
ReplyDeleteThis is brilliant! This is a creative take on superpowers and how they might be utilized. I also loved how you incorporated the prompt into this one. Well done!
ReplyDeleteSuper or not, it sure takes more than one to get many a job done. Great use of the prompt indeed.
ReplyDeleteOh, the wheelbarrow race! I wasn't expecting that, honestly. A very clever ending to a very clever story!
ReplyDeleteA brilliant and clever take on the prompt. Well written, drawing the reader in to the decisions that have to be made for life-saving surgery. I've never seen Grey's Anatomy but got the reference to the wheelbarrow race.
ReplyDeleteHi Jamie - really clever ... and I love the wheelbarrow race take. I enjoyed Grey's Anatomy when I saw it in Canada ... so much life-saving surgery as heroes took over the doctors' roles ... but your story is just so much fun - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteCool--I love the reason they are Red Wheelbarrow. Great reminder to us all.
ReplyDeletet was clever. I agree, luck can be a "super power". I wouldn't want to rely on it though.
ReplyDeleteAn enjoyable story. I think once the operation is over, they'll be superheroes.
ReplyDeleteWow. What excellent Super Heroes! I wish there were really some like that now. So many lives could be saved.
ReplyDeleteThat was some coffee break! I wasn't expecting superheroes to so viscerally demonstrate their powers . . . but it got them into the operating room. A fun read and interesting take on that red wheelbarrow.
ReplyDeleteI love superheroes and I thoroughly enjoyed this story. What a great take on the prompt and a wonderful message to spread.
ReplyDeleteAn fantastic idea for the challenge, that shares both an odd sense of dark humor and heroism. Well done.
ReplyDeleteNeat variation on the Red Wheelbarrow theme. And a brilliant explanation for the wheelbarrow. You saved the day - or my coffee.
ReplyDeleteThe finger in the cup was amazing. Really enjoyed your take on the wheelbarrow and bringing in immigration issues.
ReplyDeleteLoved the topicality and seriousness of the immigration issue presented in this superbly fun package. Neat flash and a brilliant take on the prompt. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this unique take on the prompt. I never thought of the symbolism of wheelbarrow races before, but actually that's a great metaphor for working together. You worked some interesting themes into this short piece. I hope the child waiting for surgery was saved.
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