Programme D

It was a task he hated but a necessary evil if you were to avoid bits of tissue stuck to all your clothes after the washing machines cycle had finished. He lifted the clothes from the laundry basket and ran his fingers through the pockets for any item left behind.

Alongside the usual tissue, hairband and five pence there was something different, something unusual. It appeared to be a glass prism. Small, smooth and perfectly faceted he placed it on the tabletop and loaded the machine.

One washing tablet placed on top of the clothes, he rotated the dial to programme ‘D’, pressed the on button and, after a few moments hesitation, he heard the reassuring sound of water filling the drum.

He went to the fridge and opened the door ready to prepare a sandwich when he heard a noise behind him. He turned to see that the light from the fridge had struck the prism which was now emitting the low hum and sending a rainbow onto the wall.

He stared at the light and a face began to form. Suddenly a voice spoke

“Don’t be frightened. This a ‘time prism’ from the future. We have a message for you of great urgency.”

“What is it?” he asked nervously.

“There’s another tissue in those trousers.”