Mind the Gap
By Eddie Firman
Mind The Gap by Eddie Firman
Read by David Hounslow from the 大象传媒 Radio Drama Company.
It was a usual London day, criminals fleeing crime scenes and busy workers travelling back and forth on the fabulous London underground. It was a hot summer afternoon and temperatures in the underground station at Tower Hill were sweltering. As commuters entered and exited the trains the platform announcer boomed over the speakers "MIND THE GAP."
Now most people think that the Gap is the space between the train and the platform. Little do people know that the Gap is actually a small hairy creature who lives in the cracks and caverns of the various underground stations.
Now you probably think it's a terrifying creature that gobbles you up if you trip over and fall in but think again because the species of the Gap are actually a friendly bunch.
The Gap who lives at Tower Hill is called Albert. Albert has made friends with a human named Charlie. Charlie was six at the time and was visiting London with his family. They were staying in a cool hotel in the City with views over Tower Bridge. That day they walked to Tower Hill station and were waiting for a train when out of the corner of Charlie's eye he saw something move on the tracks. He thought to himself maybe it's a stray animal?
Charlie was quite brave with animals unlike his older brother. A train had just arrived and he was about to have the most wonderful day of his life when he fell in and they made eye contact. Sitting looking dumbstruck was Charlie, directly opposite him was Albert they immediately became friends.
Once they eventually tugged him out, Albert came out as well and was no longer hiding in darkness from society. Charlie took him to the amazing London zoo and they saw every animal you could imagine in your wildest dreams.
Their favourites were the monkeys doing breathtaking tricks like swinging from branch to branch and the joyful jaguars pouncing and playing beaming with satisfaction.
After they had looked at the astonishing animals they were famished so they went to get some food at the cafe. Charlie picked a colossal burger and Albert stole Charlie's chips! They greedily demolished their food.
They started ambling back to the nearest train station, Baker Street. They went underground and Albert heard the speaker boom "MIND THE GAP". Albert looked around and saw a cavern in the track edge. He jumped down and saw another Gap. He said "Hello" and a female Gap replied "Hi! I thought I was the only one!" Albert was in love immediately, he said to her "I'm Albert, what's your name?" and she replied "Zara." Albert thought "what a beautiful name". He said to Zara, "Come and meet my good friend Charlie." Albert and Zara then went up to the platform and he introduced her to Charlie.
So next time you're in the Underground stations and the announcer says "MIND THE GAP" have a quick peak for Albert and Zara!
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