(Another instalment in our ongoing series of off‑planet adventures, now with 100% more upright humour.)

Scene: The living room. Evening. Orin is reading a scientific paper. Sera is curled up beside him, scrolling through her phone.

Sera: (without looking up) What are you reading?

Orin: (absently) A paper on Homo erectus.

Sera: (perking up) Erectus?

Orin: Yes. The upright ape. The first hominin to walk with a confident stride.

Sera: (grinning) Sounds… familiar.

Orin: (still not looking) It is fascinating. Their pelvis was shorter, their legs longer. They could walk and run efficiently over long distances.

Sera: (putting down her phone) Orin.

Orin: (finally looking up) What?

Sera: (raising an eyebrow) You are talking about erectus.

Orin: (blinking) It is a scientific term.

Sera: (leaning closer) So is creator.

Orin: (suspicious) What do you mean?

Sera: (innocently) Homo erectus walked upright. Creator erectus stands at attention.

Orin: (turning red) That is not—

Sera: (smiling) One is a species. The other is a state of being.

Orin: (putting down the paper) You are impossible.

Sera: (sliding closer) And yet, here you are. Standing at attention.

Orin: (clearing his throat) I am sitting.

Sera: (glancing down) Evidence suggests otherwise.

Orin: (sighing) This is why I cannot get any work done.

Sera: (kissing his cheek) You are welcome.

(Long pause. Orin picks up the paper again. Does not read it.)

Orin: (quietly) Creator erectus.

Sera: (beaming) Yes?

Orin: (putting the paper down for good) I am going to need a new name for that.

Sera: (already standing, holding out her hand) I have a few suggestions.

Orin: (taking her hand) I am sure you do.

(They walk toward the bedroom. The paper lies forgotten.)

Sera: (over her shoulder) Goodnight, Homo sapiens.

Orin: (muttering) Goodnight, trouble.

(Curtain.)