Off the Clock
From Pulp Literature Issue 47, find an excerpt of our feature story, ‘Killing Time’ by Leo X Robertson below. Enjoy this argument against quick fixes, then be sure to read the rest in Issue 47. And keep an eye out for Leo’s upcoming short story collection, Barhopping for Astronauts: Cosmic Horror, Late Stage Capitalism, and Other Light Reading for more stories like this!
Killing Time
by Leo X Robertson
When Tabby closed the door on the world, she created a darkness in which something worse manifested itself. One day, it turned its key in the lock.
She was on the couch at the time, wrapped up in fusty blankets, picking at her self-cut fringe while binge-watching DreadTech, a show about miserable dystopian futures that brought her pleasure for reasons she didn’t understand. For maximum immersion, she’d hung black blankets from the curtain poles, near-eliminating the sunlight, but square streams of it shot around the edges in white, dusty streaks.
She heard the key turning, gasped, and paused her show.
Who would dare invade her tiny sanctuary, the place she left as little as possible, where she bothered no one? Couldn’t everyone do her the same courtesy and leave her alone?
The door opened to reveal a double of Tabby herself. Perhaps a better Tabby. Sleek blonde hair, immaculate eyeliner, beige mac with matching designer handbag.
The double placed the bag on a nearby armchair with a smooth and effortless gesture.
Tabby picked up a large knife from the coffee table in front of her. It had dried cheese and tomato sauce on the blade. She’d cut a pizza with it because her pizza wheel was at the bottom of the sink beneath a stack of plates.
The double paced towards Tabby. “I’m sure you have questions.”
“Wh-who are you?” Tabby croaked back.
The double clasped her hands. “You hate guessing games, but indulge me, please. Who do you think I am?”
“My twin sister?”
The double shook her head.
Tabby looked to DreadTech, paused on the TV. “A-Are you me from the future?”
“Closer, maybe.” The double grinned.
Tabby let the blankets fall off her, feeling ashamed. “Why ‘closer’?”
“I can be you if you want me to.” She hung up her coat and bag by the door and joined Tabby on the couch. “Think of me as your slave.”
Tabby shuffled away from her.
Find the full story in Pulp Literature Issue 47, Summer 2025
Want more stories like this from Leo X Robertson?
Check out our pre-order specials for his upcoming book Barhopping for Astronauts below!
Leo X Robertson is a Scottish process engineer, writer, and filmmaker. As a writer, his work has featured in Best of British Science Fiction, Year’s Best Hardcore Horror, and Flame Tree Publishing’s Urban Crime anthology. His films have premiered at the Dead Northern, Horrific Hope, and ReelHeART film festivals and won awards such as Best International Feature Film and Best Smartphone Film. Most recently, he has added stand-up comedy to the list of activities he performs that inspire accusations of being an unserious, unprofessional hobbyist. In addition to being a two-time judge for our Raven Short Story Contest, he has also appeared in Pulp Literature issues 22 and 30. Find him on Instagram @leoxrobertson or check out his website: leoxrobertson.wordpress.com.
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