Bub

The glass floor of the submersible did not lessen my fear, but exaggerated it. The pulsing red lights weren’t help either. “Infrared lights for our underwater friends,” the captain said, “we’re invisible down here.” I sent out my mind into the abyss: I’m invisible, but can you hear me? See, I have a headache. Is there some all natural remedy down here one of you can get for me? I waited, but received no response. I know I’m invisible to you so you probably don’t believe something invisible can have a head that can ache, but I have a head, and it’s aching. I-.

Suddenly, the submersible shook because below my feet was the giant head of a squid. I waved at it despite knowing its eyes were not yet looking at me when I heard in my mind, Did I bump into you?

I looked around me: people were in a panic, but careful to move slowly and carefully, their cameras poised to take videos and pictures. Some people had sketchpads or notebooks. Other people were too afraid and watched from the suspended walkways. The captain began to announce something over the PA system; something about ‘This great monster-!’ and ‘Isn’t The --- such a marvelous submarine that it will withstand the attack of a giant squid?” Again I heard in my mind, Is it you?

I took a few steps back, away from the crowd of people to give them more space to stare, and answered, Hello. Hi.

Did I bump into you?

Uh, yes- no. I guess you bumped into me, but it’s not exactly me-. You bumped into my home.

Your what?

I smirked. My home- the place where I live.

The giant squid swirled in and out of view until it finally pressed one of its eyes to the glass. You feel funny. You’re hard like rock, but you’re not rock because you can talk, and you’re smooth like me, but hard.

It’s my home you’re feeling.

The giant squid disappeared from the view of the glass floor, making everyone moan and complain. The captain suggested everyone get back to their usual duties, but I did not. I sat at the edge of the glass floor and sent out my thought: Are you still there?

Am I still there?

So, you didn’t leave.

Leave?

You didn’t go away?

I didn’t go away?

I don’t think we understand each other.

No. What is ‘there’? What is ‘leave’? What is ‘away’ and why is it going? Where is it going?

Wow. We have a lot to talk about.

What is ‘talk’?

We’re talking now. It’s the exchange of words.

What are ‘words’?

Are you a giant squid?

What’s a ‘squid’?

Okay, fine. Um, I am Justine.

I am-. The giant squid made some incomprehensible bubbling noises.

I see.

So you have eyes!

“A lot of them,” I answered looking around the submersible’s many people, port holes, and cameras. Yes. Do you have eyes?

Yes. Where are your eyes?

Uh, can I call you ‘Bub’?

What is ‘Bub’?

Well, if I am Justine, can you be ‘Bub’?

The giant squid didn’t answer. I caught a glimpse of its tentacles swimming away. Goodbye, I thought. It did not think back, so I returned to my duties.