Hello again. Don't know why you're still reading this. Probably waiting expectantly to actually see/read a character that's in the book. I swear there is going to be one in this. Maybe more. Definitely not less.

Shelter

Sh*t. Now what was she going to do?

"I'm afraid I can't let you on another train without buying a ticket."

"Why not?" Dianne was still trying to look like a wilting flower but she thought she was beginning to show signs of looking like a hissing cat. This was not good if she planned to get anywhere other than Tulsa.

"Look, lady, you didn't have a ticket on the last train so what makes you think another one is just going to appear in you bag?"

"I'll just buy a ticket on the train."

"Why don't you buy one here? The train's not going to be here for another 10 minutes and that's if you're lucky."

"Why do you care so much?"

"I honestly don't but I'm tired and this is my amusement for the night. unless you can give me some other amusement." yet again Dianne was looked up and down. All she could do was sit in stunned silence. No one, not ever, had addressed her like that. She stepped back, stumbled but carried on backing away. As the guy smirked in her direction on the deserted platform Dianne turned and fled.

She ran as far and as fast as she could until she tripped and fell. Her natural reaction was to look around and see whether anyone was watching but as she looked around she realised this was the least of her problems the alley she was in was shadowed and the only place she could distinguish was some kind of bar. Music was booming from the building as couples stumbled out of it. The girls were scantily clad and, the way the men seemed to be clawing at them Dianne guessed the little clothes that were covering them would not last long. She had never watched such behaviour in the protected life with her parents and Dianne suddenly had a pang of homesickness.

Reproaching herself for her cowardice she strode into the bar. Her clothes and her attitude immediately got her noticed with catcalls and whistles emanating it seemed from ever direction. No backing down now.

"Excuse me?"

"Yes" the girl at the drawled. She couldn't be old enough to sell alcohol, could she?

"I was wondering" Dianne began to stumble over her words as she realised her accent was drawing even more attention to herself

"Yes?"

"Where could I stay, I mean, just tonight?"

"10 dollars"

"What?" How her mother would yell if she heard (pardon not what)

As if explaining to a little girl "If you give me 10 dollars I shall tell you where is the best place to stay."

"I only have 10 dollars how do you expect me to be able to stay somewhere and pay for the tip?"

"Not my problem"

"Teresa, give her a break, I for one no where she could stay." Said a man's voice from behind Dianne.

"Really" Dianne had missed the innuendo that was obviously intended "all I need is a duvet or something. And a couch, hell, I don't even need a couch, just a bit of floor. I'll give you all my money, it's not much, $10, but, please?" great going with the good impressions. "sorry, my names Dianne, or Di for short"

"Tim," at the moment Tim could not decide what to do. Here was a nice, naïve soc everything he hated but with that dress clinging to all the right places how could he resist. She could share his bed, maybe.

"$10? That's not a very sweet deal you know? Are you sure you haven't anymore?"

"Sure as sure can be. If I had more I wouldn't be here but I'll be gone tomorrow."

"Well just let me finish this drink and we'll get going."

Tim knocked back his drink and got his jacket.

"What you waiting for?"

"ok" Di stumbled after him.

The girl behind the counter began to feel guilty as she watched the couple go out the door "you know I hope Shep's a gentleman." she said to no one in particular.

"Ha, he wouldn't know the meaning" some girl sitting nearby muttered.