The Hired Bicycle

Baby Pierre tiptoed back to rejoin Ageless.

Wow, he really IS Arthur Rimbaud! said Baby Pierre. And his poetry is as bad as Ouvert said.

Ageless was always up for a bit of bad poetry.

Give me an example, he said.

Jealous of his knobby buttons, said Baby Pierre.

Hee hee. I like it, said Ageless.

Do you? said Baby Pierre. Ouvert wouldn't. I wonder where he is? And Lavender?

And Gaius, said Ageless. Let's go outside.

They went outside.

Gaius was approaching on a bicycle.

Hello, my friends! cried Gaius. How delightful to see you! Do you like my bicycle? I've hired it. A bargain at only thirty dollars a day. Plenty of room for collectables, and guests.

He indicated a wire basket at the back.

Baby Pierre! Ageless! squealed Lavender from the basket.

Wheeee! cried Ouvert. Baby Pierre! I've found you.

Baby Pierre was overjoyed to see his friend Ouvert.

Wicked! What are you guys doing here? said Baby Pierre.

Ouvert hopped down.

We came with Gaius and Arthur on the train, he answered. We were looking for you, and Gaius is looking for the giant Varan. Arthur's helping. He stole a knife.

Me and Ageless are looking for evidence that the giant claw belonged to a giant lobster, said Baby Pierre.

Kobo said you would be disappointed, said Lavender.

Humph! said Ageless. Little does she know. How is Kobo, anyway?

She sent you a book, said Lavender. It's about private parts, she added.

Ageless's eyes changed focus slightly.

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