The thing about Antarctic cold is that like any other climate, is extremely subjective. Penguins can take subzero temperatures without disastrous effects, and when huddled together create temperatures up to boiling sand. And because humans don't have an interval temperature tolerance like penguins, we have a tendency to complain as it approaches the temperature extremes, regardless of which climate they originated from. And to the notorious complainers-- well, even the monks have to try to keep a cool manner.

"Can someone turn the thermostat up," Jackie growled, smothering herself in blankets from the emergency closet.  Only her eyes and nose were visible, and if her mouth could slam shut that would be the best.

"There is no thermostat, and even if there was one, I would reach for the hammer first than the dial," I replied.

She glared at me like I had a blackhead on my lip, and wriggled back into her blanket hold once again.

Carter returned from the machine room, stared at Jackie, and walked backwards.

"Speak your mind, Prof!" Jackie shouted. Suppose all the warmth squeezed any established boundaries out of her.

"You'd expect nothing but ridicule," he said through the doors, his raspy voice barely heard but a disgust loudly proclaimed.

"At least I'm not the one carrying a thermometer on my lanyard," I shot at her, lacerating the temporary wound that Carter was supposed to inflict.

"It's for science," she defended, as though science was her dying mother and she was protecting the antidote.

"Yes, and I keep a turkey baster in my purse just because I do culinary arts."

"You know what?" She wanted to get up and raise her arms to punch me, but the cocoon of blankets forbade her.

"Girls, we're trapped in a tin of sardines. No point in meaningless argument," Carter said.

Jackie narrowed her eyes and looked at me. If I could see her thoughts through them, my bloody body would be ladled with snow, and Jackie triumphantly standing over me like a trophy hunter. CONGRATULATIONS, the plaque would say. SUCCESSFULLY CONVINCING A FRIEND THEY ARE ALSO THE COMPLAINER.