The Art of Avoidance

But where is Ageless?

He has said goodbye to Moloch and gone to the office to inquire about Arthur. There he has been told that Arthur left five minutes ago.

Tch, tch, grumbles Ageless. Unreliable.

He heads down the track hoping to catch up with Arthur.

Arthur is walking towards the gate.

A Jeep turns in.

In the Jeep are Paul and Mathilde Verlaine.

Mathilde sees Arthur first.

Paul! she screams. Look over there!

She points, but not in the direction of Arthur.

What is it, woman? snaps Paul, who is in a terrible mood as usual.

A... a...lizard! says Mathilde lamely.

At least Paul is not looking at Arthur.

Arthur! calls Ageless, from back down the track.

Arthur stops and turns round.

Ageless! he says. Have you moulted?

I have, says Ageless. Just look at me, all soft and new.

Arthur looks.

Ageless looks all soft and new.

Arthur turns back to pick up Ageless.

He is reliable some of the time.

The Jeep passes Arthur from behind as he bends over to scoop up his friend..

Paul Verlaine does not recognise Arthur from this angle, which is a little surprising.

Arthur does not look up at the Jeep.

Thus a confrontation is avoided, which is lucky.

Arthur reaches the gate of the Caravan Park, with Ageless on his shoulders, in time to see the Jeep carrying Dr Yates, Gaius and the others disappearing in a cloud of dust........