The Kindness of Strangers

Please calm down, Mr...umm..., began Dr Suzanne Miller.

Ageless, said Ageless.

Mr Ageless, she continued. What a lovely name for a lobster. Its significance is certainly not lost on me. Now, Mr Ageless, I'm very sorry to have to tell you that trilobites are not currently on display here in the museum.

Not on display! spluttered Ageless. Why not?

Ask Santos, said Dr Suzanne Miller. They sponsor the Fossils Gallery. However, we may have one or two trilobites in the Museum Shop.

In the shop! repeated Ageless. Don't tell me you expect me to BUY one!

No, no, Mr Ageless, said Dr Suzanne Miller placatingly. In view of the inconvenience you've suffered...

Indeed! said Ageless. Inconvenience with knobs on!

Tang and Dragon d'Or began to snigger. Their teacher silenced them with the most severe of looks.

In view of that, said Dr Suzanne Miller, I think it only fair that we should take you to the Museum Shop and allow you to choose a trilobite to take home with you.

How kind, said Ageless, with a triumphant look at Tang and Dragon d'Or. And maybe THEY should pay for it.

No, no, said Dr Suzanne Miller. They were just being boys.

Well, said Ageless. I would like to whack them with a ruler.

Everyone looked horrified.

Only joking, said Ageless.

Tang and Dragon d'Or went back to join their classmates, with their teacher. Mr Lee and Dr Suzanne Miller walked Ageless over to the Museum Shop.

No one spoke. It was awkward. Ageless thought perhaps he ought to start a conversation.

Do you ever wonder what would have happened if Hitler had won the war? he asked his companions.

We would all be speaking German, said Dr Suzanne Miller.

Ageless was astonished. It had never crossed his mind that THAT might be the answer.