Two Weeks in August

"Two Weeks in August" by Frank M. Robinson is a short science fiction tale that spins a comical web around everyday office life and the human desire for extraordinary experiences. The story follows a main character who can't stand his show-off coworker, McCleary, and their back-and-forth during the summer. To one-up McCleary's bragging about his vacation plans, the main character jokingly tells everyone he's going to Mars. The story humorously pokes fun at the difference between what we imagine and what's real, and how easily people can get carried away when talking about their vacations. The story takes a surprising turn when McCleary returns from vacation with real proof he's been to Mars, photos and all. The story makes you think about what we believe, what's possible, and how much people want to make their own stories seem amazing.