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Magnet awoke slowly.
The truck's seat was comfortable.
He wanted to stay asleep.
Just a little longer . . .
Finally he opened his eyes.
He was on the passenger side seat.
Zigzag was driving.
Zig smiled.
'Bout time you should wake up.
You've been out for more than ten hours, Magnet.
Magnet sighed.
Stressed, I guess.
Where are we now, Zig?
I missed the signs.
But we're out of Okie.
That's what people were called during the Dust Bowl in the, um, nineteen-forties, I think, when they were flocking from Oklahoma because the land was all, well, dead.
Magnet smiled.
Paid attention in history class, Zig?
Zig shrugged.
Same here.
Just a random fact.
Magnet laughed.
They fell silent.
Neither spoke for a long time.
The radio was playing classical music,
but neither felt the need to change it.
Just where are we going? Zig asked once they entered a city.
No clue.
Zig drove around.
How the hell do I get out of here? he yelled.
Magnet sat straight up.
He had dosed off.
Take it easy Zig.
Zigzag honked the horn at some people crossing the street.
They're all so damn slow!
One of them,
a girl around their own age,
stopped and looked at them.
She walked over and leaned in through Zigzag's window.
What're you going? she asked.
Zig looked at Magnet.
He only shrugged.
Where you going? Zig repeated.
Hey, let me get you out of here, the girl offered.
Zig looked at Magnet again.
Magnet said.
Zig scooted over and the girl climbed in.
See now, you've entered in the totally wrong direction, she said.
With a few quick and easy turns and twists,
the truck was back on the free road.
That's all that's to it, the girl said.
Zig had fallen asleep on her shoulder.
Magnet was half past out.
She smiled.
I guess you guys won't mind if I just keep driving, will you? the girl chuckled.
'Course you won't.
