6:4

As Caroline dragged herself off the floor and into her bedroom, she reflected on the tiny ironies of the world. And decided she really, really hated the tiny ironies of the world.

She flipped on the tv and flopped back onto the pillow-laden bed with a soft moan.

The tv’s volume had been left up and her room was filled with some reality tv show’s radio calls.

“Mayday Mayday Mayday
This is Castor Castor Castor

Mayday Castor
Position is unknown, last recorded position was heading north, northeast, latitude two three degrees, seven seven minutes, longitude five seven degrees, two three decimal four minutes.
My engines are dead and we are caught in a current headed for shore.
Fourteen foot wooden trawler
Two on board and unable to abandon ship
Castor
Over”

There was a moment of staticky silence and then:

“Castor, Castor, Castor
This is Gman, Gman, Gman
Received Mayday
I am at your last known position. Can you verify last heading and speed?
Will proceed to your location.
Gman
Over”

“Gman
This is Roeland,
Where you at? We should hook up.
Over”

Caroline was just drifting off to sleep when the voice from the tv jumped in volume and intensity.

“Mayday
Roeland
This is Gman
Seelonce Mayday
Distress traffic in progress
Stop transmitting
Over”

Something about the exchange bothered Caroline. It was like a miniature reflection of reality playing out in her ears, but she was too tired to open her eyes.

Then she heard:

“Mayday
All stations, all stations, all stations,
This is
Castor, Castor, Castor
Zero nine three zero Eastern Standard

Castor
Seelonce Feenee
Vessels has drifted clear of current and we are disembarking on beach. All crew safe.

Castor
Out”

“Gman
Out”

Caroline felt a cold chill down her spine and was suddenly no longer tired.