Space Plumber

Outside Inside #4

by Michael Gardner

Duncan Stool is a plumber. The Stool family have always been plumbers. But in the twenty third century, plumbers aren’t quite what they used to be, as automated supercomputers now run the show. Down on his luck and with bills to pay, Duncan takes the only job available and joins the Space Corps, where he will boldly go where no plumber has gone before... and let’s face it, plumbers have been in some pretty stinky places.

Outside Inside is what happens when a writer, who can only be described as a polygamist with genres, starts a series of short stories exploring life, death and everything in between. Making a departure from the serious and literary, this story heads straight down the plug hole of toilet humour.

60 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 8, 2017

About the author

Michael Gardner writes stories from the twilight zone of his mind, a middle ground between light and shadow, between science and superstition and his sock drawer. Cross over if you dare.

Reviews

[Connie Lacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

As the mother of three sons who joked about poop and farts ad nauseum as they were growing up, “Space Plumber” was a gas to read. I would never pooh-pooh a tale that plumbs the depths of bathroom humor. This is a story for those who like to giggle while they read, (or while on the throne,) where names (the main character is Duncan Stool,) and acronyms (FARTS) are used to LOL effect. Flush with nuggets alluding to Star Trek and space operas, this Sci-fi tale “kicks ass,” as one of the characters likes to say.

[J. Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are looking for a light, funny and entertaining read in the science fiction genre, then look no further than Space Plumber. My only criticism was that I wished it had been longer! Michael Gardner had me smiling throughout and laughing aloud at times at the abundance of toilet humour, but he also had me rooting for the central character, Duncan Stool. Gardner is a fine writer and I will be checking out some other of his titles in the future. Well done!

[James Field · Rating 5 out of 5]

Haven't we all asked the same question? What will happen to us in the future when robots and artificial intelligence make our traditional occupations redundant? What, for example, would a plumber do, in space, in a starship?
Michael Gardner's 'Space Plumber' offers one funny, imaginative and interesting prospect. You don't need to be a fan of sci-fi to enjoy this short story, just a fan of good writing by an author who loves his words.
Recommended.