The hiss was instant, followed by a faint, sinister sizzle and then the sharp pop of the screen going black. The woman’s face froze in horror, then twisted into panic. “Liam!” she screeched, leaping to her feet and nearly dropping the machine. “What on earth were you thinking?!”
Around them, the reaction was immediate. A few nearby sunbathers sat up straighter, wide-eyed. Someone let out a short, muffled laugh that drew a couple more chuckles. The couple under the blue umbrella were grinning openly now, one leaning toward the other with a whispered comment that made them both laugh harder.