Let Me Out Before I Pop Out

Third day of the women's race. Nairne to Stirling.

The women take a wrong turning.

And no. It's not funny.

The race is restarted, and Grace Brown of Team Michelton Scott is the stage winner.

Well done, says someone with a microphone.

Thank you, says Grace.

Ageless lobster and Blue Claw wait at the finish.

The last woman whizzes by, dripping sweat drops.

Where are they? groans Ageless.

Let's ask someone, says Blue Claw.

He goes straight to the top and asks Spratty, who is first in the General Classification.

Excuse me, says Blue Claw.

What is it? asks Spratty.

Have you seen four pink legs on a very small bicycle?

On and off, says Spratty.

Where are they? asks Blue Claw.

Took a wrong turning, says Spratty.

You all did, says Blue Claw.

Yeah, but after that we never saw them, says Spratty.

How were they doing, up to that point? asks Ageless, coming over.

Pretty damn good, says Spratty. Ditched the pasta wheels for a bike with green wheels. Grace thinks they're fluoroelastane.

Baby Pierre's bike, says Ageless. It is fluoroelastane.

Yeah well, gotta go now, says Spratty. I need a drink of water. By the way, they are females aren't they?

Y....begins Blue Claw.

Err....n....yes, says Ageless.

Why did you interrupt me? asks Blue Claw, when Spratty has gone.

Because I was going to say no, says Ageless. And for this reason: they will be our domestiques in the men's race. Someone may recognise them as females.

But, says Blue Claw. They had to be females in this race.

I know, says Ageless. Too bad. Heh-heh...is that them coming?

Yes, it is them coming.

Pinky's pink legs have grown tight in the heat, and are pounding like pistons.

She slows down, near Ageless.

That was MUCH better, says Pinky.

Let me OUT before I POP out! cries Kobo, from inside her.

Pinky dismounts, and Kobo is let out before she pops out.

Pluu-uh! says Kobo. How did we do?

Took a wrong turning, says Pinky. But we got here.

Everyone took a wrong turning, says Ageless, but they restarted. What happened to you?

Decided to keep a low profile, says Pinky. If we're going in the men's race we don't want too much attention.

Good man, says Ageless.

Blue Claw sniggers.

Ageless looks sideways at Kobo to see how she's taking it.

Hard to tell, really.