A Long Exit

The Stateliner pulls up outside the Reddy Express in Port Augusta.

Lunch break! says Stanley. You've got half an hour.

I'll see if Ageless is coming, says Terence.

He runs to the back of the bus.

Are you coming? asks Terence.

Yes, says Ageless. I could do with stretching my legs.

Can you do it horizontal? asks Terence,

The only thing I can't do horizontal, says Ageless, is get down off the this seat, so it's good that you're here.

Okay, says Terence. I'll hold the sunglasses.

No, says Ageless. I'm keeping them on.

So what do you want me to do? asks Terence. 

Bend over, says Ageless.

Terence bends over.

Ageless lowers himself on to Terence's back, 

The sunglasses tilt a bit, but don't fall off.

Kneel, says Ageless. 

I don't know how, says Terence.

I thought you fell off a cathedral, says Agelesss. 

So what? says Terence.

You must have seen people kneeling, says Ageless.

Only the tops of their heads and the backs of their feet, says Terence.

Forget it says Ageless. I'll make it from here.

He grasps Terence's gecko shorts and manoeuvres himself backwards over the curve of Terence's bottom and onto the floor of the bus.

The sunglasses remain in situ.

These are excellent sunglasses, says Ageless.

Come on! says Terence. We've only got half an hour.

They hurry to the front of the bus.

Stanley is still sitting in the driver's seat, ticking a form.

Want a hand getting off? asks Stanley.

No.... yes! says Terence. Ageless does.

No I don't, says Ageless. We have perfected this, Terence. You get off first.

Terence jumps off with his perfect balance.

Stanley watches as Ageless looks over the edge of the step to where Terence is waiting, bent over.

Is it the sunglasses you're worried about? asks Stanley.

Just cautious, says Ageless.

You know you can get adjustable straps for them? says Stanley.

Uncool, says Ageless.

Better that than lose them, says Stanley. You know how many sunglasses I've found on this bus this week?

How many? asks Ageless.

At least seven, says Stanley.

Without straps? says Ageless.

All without straps, says Stanley. Think about it. They might even have some in the Reddy Express. I don't think they cost much.

Ageless steps down from the bus, assuming Terence is still bending over to receive him.

But the strap conversation having gone on too long, Terence isn't