Boots Of Others

The frog, says Arthur.

Oh, yeah, says Sweezus. Maybe we should take it with us.

Match the colours, says Arthur.

Awesome, says Sweezus. Got a container?

Pocket, says Arthur.

He scoops up Flap and shoves him into his pocket.

Flap is okay with this. He believes they are scientists.

The bus appears. Arthur and Sweezus get on.

That leaves you and me, sister, says Gastro.

For better or worse, says his sister. You could be a mutant.

They hop away from the bus stop, following the trail to the stream.

......

Saint Roley has reached the snowline and not yet found Princess Pacchu.

She would not have gone further.

He considers his options.

1. Wait here and freeze.
2. Fly back down without her.

......

Gaius, Humboldt and Pauline have got off the bus in Riobamba.

This is goodbye, says Pauline. Here's my email address. Ask Sweezus to send me that video.

Goodbye, says Gaius. I'll ask him, but Sweezus can be unreliable.

Goodbye, says Humboldt.  Thank you for assisting me down Chimborazo. I shall think of you every time I enter a bathroom.

Look up! says Pauline.

Gaius looks up.

Gotcha! says Pauline.

Oh, yes .....says Gaius. The dirty ceiling fans. Very funny.

He makes a note to check his own fans, when he gets home.

........

Gaius opens the front door of the house of Pedro Vicente Maldonado, who is not yet back from Hawaii.

Gaius still has the key.

There is a smell wafting from the frog room.

Humboldt sniffs. What is it?

A neighbour appears, frowning.

At last, says the neighbour. Too late probably.

What's this about? asks Gaius.

I was to feed Piffy and Pi-face, says the neighbour. And you had the key.

We shall take care of it, says Gaius. Don't think any more about it.

The neighbour sniffs, and disappears, still frowning.

First, says Gaius, I'll show you the store room. There are plenty of boots there.

He opens the store room.

Humboldt goes in.

Gaius is about to investigate the smell in the frog room when his phone rings.

It's Vello.

Before you say anything, says Gaius, I know.

Good, says Vello. So who do you suggest should replace me?

What? says Gaius. Why?

So you don't know, says Vello. I've got piles. Very painful. Team Philosophe will be short one rider. Any suggestions?

Alexander von Humboldt comes out of the store room, barefoot, his trousers rolled up..

By sign language he indicates to Gaius that he has not even tried any boots on. He must buy new boots. He ruined his socks on the mountain. At least, one of them. And Maldonado's boots, while good quality boots, have been worn by others. What about tinea? Therefore he will remain barefoot until they can get to the shops.

An excellent communicator, and a philosopher! With good lower leg muscles.

Yes, says Gaius. I have just the man.