Tame In Comparison

How far is it? asks Terence.

You know how far it is, says Gaius. 

No I don't, says Terence.

You walked to the lighthouse with me, says Gaius. Now we're walking back. It's the same distance.

But where are we in it? asks Terence.

About half way, says Gaius.

And getting longer, says Terence.

Shorter, says Gaius. 

What shall we talk about? asks Terence.

Ask Ageless, says Gaius.

Okay, says Terence. Come on, Ageless.

What? asks Ageless. 

Talk, says Terence.

I don't feel like talking, says Ageless.

What's up? asks de Freycinet.

Your Rose, says Ageless. She nursed you.

She did, says de Freycinet.

My Kobo couldn't nurse me, says Ageless. Although she's my beloved.

Why not? asks de Freycinet.

No arms, says Ageless. 

There are other ways, says de Freycinet.

Clik clik, agrees Ageless.

Boring, says Terence.

What about you Gaius, asks de Freycinet. Do you have a ladyfriend?

No, no, says Gaius.

He does, says Terence.

And who might that be? asks Gaius.

Margaret, says Terence.

I haven't seen Margaret for years, says Gaius.

Years? asks de Freycinet.

Let me see, says Gaius. The last time was when we borrowed her electric drill to help with constructing some scenery.

Did you return it? asks de Freycinet.

She would have taken it back, says Gaius. She came along, to interfere in what we were doing.

Was I there? asks Terence.

Yes you were there, says Gaius. It was that production of Candide where you and Hedley were drawn over the mountains in a basket, with ropes and pulleys.

 I remember! says Terence. And a ladder!

Fascinating, says de Freycinet. My life is tame in comparison.

Look! says Gaius. There's the campground. Terence, you may run ahead now.

Terence runs ahead, thinking about Hedley and the basket and the ladder, which was a blue ladder.

Ageless, Gaius and de Freycinet continue walking at a reasonable pace.

And no longer talking.