Unless You Want To Try Flying

Ageless does not have to go far, before he spots them

The traffic is heavy. They haven't yet crossed the road.

Where do you think you're going? asks Ageless.

To the State Library, says Baby Pierre.

To look at the maps, says Terence.

Of the Canaries, says Daniel O'Connell.

Very good, says Ageless. Be careful.

He turns and goes back to the house to tell Gaius and Belle.

Did you find them? asks Belle.

Yes, says Ageless.

Well, where are they? asks Belle.

Crossing the road, says Ageless. They're on their way to the library.

Are they catching a bus? asks Gaius.

I didn't ask them, says Ageless. I suppose so.

You should have brought them back! says Belle. They might get run over! Anything might happen.

You forget, says Ageless, that Baby Pierre bears the Mark Of The Claw.

........

Baby Pierre and Terence have spotted a break in the traffic.

Will it be long enough?

Ready? says Baby Pierre.

Ready, says Terence.

Are we running or walking? asks Daniel O'Connell.

You're in the bottle, says Baby Pierre. You're doing whatever we're doing.

Unless you want to try flying, says Terence.

Not yet, says Daniel O'Connell.

......

A bus appears in the distance.

Go go go! says Baby Pierre.

He rolls into the road and keeps rolling.

Terence follows with Daniel O'Connell.

Stomp stomp. Hurry up Terence!

Brakes screech and someone starts tooting.

......

Belle arrives at the footpath, seconds too late.

She sees Terence on his back in the road just in front of the bus stop.

The B10 is approaching.

Stop! cries Belle.

But she is on the other side of the road and the driver doesn't hear her.

He wouldn't have stopped for her anyway.

But he stops for Baby Pierre.

Baby Pierre has hailed him, in the proper manner.

Hello young man, says the driver. How are we today?

You've run over my best friend says Baby Pierre. He's under your bus right his minute.

Ha ha, says the driver. Want a hand getting on?

NO, says Baby Pierre. Get out and help Terence and Daniel O'Connell!

The driver gets down and looks under his vehicle.

Oh.

Belle has crossed the road, finally.

I told you to stop, she says crossly. Now look.

I didn't see them, says the driver. I'll get back in the bus and reverse,

The other passengers look anxious.

Will they be late for their lectures, and exercise classes?

The driver reverses.

Now Terence is out in the open in front of the bus.

He sits up. Looks around for Daniel O'Connell, his parrot.

Oh no! The bottle is smashed.

But Daniel O'Connell is okay, in the bottom.

Terence, says Belle. Are you all right?

No, says Terence. You didn't look after me.

You didn't look after me, says Daniel O'Connell.

I'm not meant to look after you, says Terence. You're meant to look after me.

Are you getting on this bus or aren't you? asks the driver. I'm way behind schedule.

Yes, says Terence.

Yes, says Daniel O'Connell. But first get met me out of this bottle.

Belle lifts him out of the bottle. She helps Terence onto the bus.

Then she decides that she ought to go with him, in case he has concussion.

She gets on. Luckily she carries a Metrocard.

Ding!

She sits down, next to Baby Pierre and Terence, with Daniel O'Connell in her lap.

He has been in worse places.

Next stop, the State Library.