Buoyancy Control on Vacation

50-word fictional story on the unpredictable nature of rented scuba gear.

Raking his toes through the sand, the kiosk owner shook his head and firmly tapped the painted signboard.

Sunburned and tired of arguing, Ryan threw the snorkel on the counter and opened his wallet. "Well," he muttered, "that’s a fine trick. I press ‘INFLATE’ and your vest takes me parasailing."