Two Unlikely Redeemers

Flight 467 has landed.

David, Katherine and Rosamunda get off.

I thought Ray was coming, says Vello. Where is he?

Detained by security, says David. He'll be along shortly.

He made death threats, says Katherine.

Brilliant, says Vello. What on earth was he thinking? He's my lead actor.

He was practising his lines, says Rosamunda. He hadn't got to the Good News.

O priceless, says Vello. Did you hear that? The good news. What pray is the good news?

Now, Vello, says Katherine. Calm down. The good news is you have Rosamunda, an experienced director.

Yes, says Vello. I know Rosamunda. We first met in Edinburgh, at the World's End. There was a bookshop, a riverbank, and a Japanese man in an overcoat.

I remember! cries Rosamunda. Kawai. A shape shifter. He followed us, and then he turned into an otter! He'd swallowed Arthur's gold coin.

So he had, says Vello. Well my dear, you'll make an excellent director. Sweezus, take Terence with you and see what you can do about Ray.

Sweezus goes off to the airport security office with Terence, and knocks.

The door creaks open mysteriously.

They go inside.

Not another one, says Victor, slamming the door shut. Oh it's you two!

Victor! says Sweezus. Why are you detaining Ray Moon?

We're just having a theological argument, says Victor. Perhaps you can settle it.

No way José, says Sweezus. I keep out of theological arguments.

And we don't slam DOORS, says Terence.

Terence spies Ray Moon looking hard done by.

All I said was, says Ray, that everyone dies. It's not a death threat.

What is it then? says Victor. It says here.....

Victor thumbs through his list of terror threats. Number One: You are going to die.

That's a death threat.

Want some good news? says Terence.

I already have some Good News, says Ray.

Not this good news, says Terence.

What is it? asks Ray.

We're shape shifters, says Terence. We eat gold coins and turn into otters.

At last the penny drops with Victor.

You're part of the Fringe. Why didn't you say so!

You may go, Ray, says Victor. You've been saved by your friends here.

Ray can't believe it. Saved by Sweezus, and his feral baby.

It's galling.