No More Extinctions

Terence and Squattu have returned to the Batman's Hotel.

They have gone up in the lift to the third floor.

They have found the door of the room in which Gaius and Pierre-Louis are sleeping.

Terence has knocked on the door.

Will they be angry with us? asks Squattu.

No, says Terence. We'll just say we heard noises.

Okay, says Squattu.

Gaius opens the door looking bleary.

Why are you outside the room? asks Gaius. 

We heard noises, says Terence.

And found a hat? says Gaius.

Yes, says Terence. My long-lost Peruvian hat.

I won't ask further questions, says Gaius. It's fortunate you woke us so early. We don't want to be late for the train.

He and Pierre-Louis are ready in minutes. 

They go down in the lift. There's no one at Reception, to notice the boy and the bat with their white hotel towels.

They leave.

They cross the road to the Southern Cross station, and head to the ticket office.

Are you Rebecca? asks Gaius.

Yes, says Rebecca. Are you the ecological warrior, with the broken leg and the deceased grandfather?

Two out of three, says Gaius. Although the first one is debatable. I am beginning to doubt my....

No broken leg, says Rebecca. That's strange.

Perhaps the broken leg refers to me, says Pierre Louis. I broke my leg once.

I broke my finger, says Terence. And some of my side curls came off.

Rebecca leans forward. 

Terence shows her his claw-instead-of-a-finger. 

He takes off his Peruvian hat.

Oh! says Rebecca. You look like baby Jesus, when you take off the hat.

Terence puts it on again.

Well, here are your tickets, says Rebecca. And we at the Overland are sorry for your loss.

Very kind, says Gaius. We have indeed had some losses. But we live in hopes of future victory.

Yes, says Pierre-Louis.  No more extinctions.

Yay! says Terence. What are they?

You know, whispers Squattu.

Is that a fruit bat? asks Rebecca. No one mentioned you had a fruit bat.

No, says Terence. 

Holy Mackerel! squeaks Squattu.

Rebecca is disarmed. The bat talks! It must be an expensive toy

She waves them towards the correct platform.

They find the right carriage. 

And settle into their Red Premium seats.

Toot Toot.

The Overland train rolls out of Melbourne.