Space Call

“Hello, this is Earth Support Center, how can I help you?” A formulaic female voice came from the other end of the line, with an artificial sweetness.

“It’s me, Jack, your astronaut, remember me? I’m still in space, it’s been... almost three years, I think?” Jack’s voice sounded tired, with a hint of helpless self-mockery.

“Dear Mr. Jack, your flight information indicates that you deviated from your orbit during your mission three years ago and are currently in an unplanned stranded state.” The customer service representative’s voice remained calm. “What assistance do you require? Would you like us to activate a space roaming data package for you?”

“Roaming? I’m freaking drifting in space! Do you know how low my daily survival rate is? Oxygen, food, repair parts, you guys need to figure something out!” Jack roared into the communicator, veins popping out on his forehead.

“Sir, your emotional fluctuation is beyond the warning range. Please remain calm, otherwise our system will automatically cut off communication.” The customer service representative’s voice was still gentle, as if she was soothing a tantruming child.

Jack took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down: “Okay, I’m calm. Now let’s get down to business, I need to return to Earth immediately, you must have backup plans, right?”

“Sir, according to your contract terms, your return plan requires an application twelve months in advance and payment of the corresponding return fee. Since you are in an unplanned stranded state, this fee is your sole responsibility.” The customer service representative said slowly and calmly, each word clearly reaching Jack’s eardrums.

“Fee? You mean I have to pay to go home? I've been floating in space for you guys for three freaking years, isn't that enough to pay off my debt?” Jack felt his sanity completely collapsing.

“Sir, this is in accordance with the ‘Earth Citizen Space Travel Safety Guarantee Regulations’, please understand. In addition, given the current unstable condition of your spacecraft, we recommend you purchase our ‘Space VIP Safety Guarantee Package’ as soon as possible to ensure your life safety.”

“You freaking want me to buy a package? I was trapped in space by you, and now you want me to pay? Why don't you just go rob someone?” Jack roared.

“Sir, please watch your language, this will affect your personal credit score. If you refuse to purchase the package, according to the ‘Earth Citizen Credit System Management Regulations’, your credit score will decrease, which may affect your future Earth travel and consumption.”

“Earth travel? I'm about to die, what travel are you talking about! I just want to go home!” Jack was almost in tears.

“Sir, the Earth Support Center understands your feelings. In order to better serve you, we have recommended the ‘Stranded in Space Comfort Package’, which includes virtual Earth sightseeing, virtual family companionship, and emotional counseling services. It only costs 199 yuan per day, would you like to activate it?”

Jack closed his eyes and smiled in despair. “You win, you freaking win.” He said in a trembling voice, “I accept, I activate it…help me…I need an Earth tour guide, to show me my former home, preferably… with my daughter.”

“Okay sir, please wait a moment, we are connecting you to a virtual reality tour guide. In addition, we have detected that the air purification system in your spacecraft is about to fail, do you need to upgrade it? You only need to pay 29,999 yuan…”

Jack couldn't listen anymore, he used the last of his strength to turn off the communicator. In the dark space, he hugged himself, tears silently streaming down. He could feel the oxygen in the spacecraft getting thinner and thinner. He knew that this time, he was really going to stay here forever.

Outside the window, the Earth was like a beautiful blue glass ball, emitting an alluring light. Jack thought of the picture of his daughter on Earth, in which she was smiling brightly, holding an ice cream in her hand. Jack murmured: "Daughter, if Dad can't go back, remember, don't trust any company's advertisements."

Suddenly, the spacecraft's alarm went off, and a cold female voice echoed in the cabin: “Dear astronaut, your package service has expired, please renew it in time, otherwise we will cut off all services, wish you a pleasant journey in space.”