Page 171 of Nearly Roadkill

---

Wally and Shel share a crooked smile.

He looks back out the window. What a motley crew. All of them leftovers, just like him. All of them sent up to the front lines, just like him. Thank you, National Emergency.

“Thank you, Shel.”

“You’re welcome, Walls. You’re always welcome.”

END JABBA NARRATIVE ENTRY

GWYNYTH DIARY ENTRY

I am delighted to include a bit of chat that was risked just before Romiette and Julio finally got offline:

*** You are in Private Room “Serifos” ***

Gwynyth:I had a feeling you might be lurking until the bitter end.

Jabbathehut:::eyebrows raised::

Gwynyth:I thought you might like some company.

Jabbathehut:Madam, I do not lurk.

Gwynyth:Of course you don’t, dear. You are very busy, I know.

Jabbathehut:Purpose of this intrusion?

Gwynyth:Oh, slide down off that horse, you old fart. I’m just making contact.

Jabbathehut:Forgive me. I’d forgotten the social convention.

Gwynyth:Well, you can learn again, it’s very easy.

Jabbathehut:I have had no reason.

Gwynyth:I know, dear, I know. And someday maybe you’ll tell me why.

Gwynyth:I don’t just think of you as a genius, you know.

Jabbathehut:Nor I, you… as well you know.

Gwynyth:I miss you.

Jabbathehut:I confess to happiness, being here in the ever-diminishing cyberspace—just the two of us.

Gwynyth:Three of us, dear.

Jabbathehut:Three?

Toobe has entered the room.

Jabbathehut:::gruffly:: Very well, then, three of us.

Toobe:Better make that five.

Jabbathehut:::lifting an eyebrow:: Five?

Winc has entered the room.

---