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Flash fiction · From the Margen catalogue

The drill married Reme and Víctor aboard bus 27

—I'm Nora Beltrán, a Civil Registry officer. I need two I dos and one signature. —I'm Ismael Roca, driver of bus 27. I have fifty seconds before departure. —The alarm went off halfway through my wedding. —Reme Torres, nurse and bride, we have to evacuate. —Víctor Alba, baker and groom, brought the rings. —He can hold on to them. No one is going back into the building. —Nora, twelve Registry staff are getting on. —Everyone aboard. I'll finish the ceremony over the PA on the 27. —Twelve passengers with travel passes, I hope. —Twenty-eight seconds. —Reme Torres, do you agree to marry Víctor Alba? —Yes. —Víctor Alba, do you agree to marry Reme Torres? —Yes. —Fifteen seconds. I'm closing the doors. —We still need the witnesses' signatures. —Have the evacuation-drill inspector and the ticket inspector sign. —I'm the ticket inspector. —Then drive with one hand. —No chance. I'll sign at the traffic light on Calle Mayor. —It's green. —For the first time in six months. —I'll sign, Nora. I'm Clara Vives, an emergency inspector. —And me. I'm Mateo Lobo, the Registry caretaker. I've counted everyone: no one is missing. —Ceremony complete. You can leave, Ismael. —Eleven-oh-seven on the dot. —Reme, Víctor, you're married. —Next stop: Plaza Mayor. The honeymoon isn't included in the fare.