The two rebels made their way through the deserted wasteland, continuing running long into the night. 'Gazza, we've got to stop. We can't go any further tonight, it's too dark, we'll just start going round in circles, and end up back in the city. Look, we're both soaked through, let's just find somewhere to spend the night, dry off, and then we can continue tomorrow morning.' He stopped, knowing she was talking reasonably, 'Okay, you're right. Now, where would you suggest, in this deserted wilderness?' Sally sighed, 'I didn't say stop now, as in this very minute. Just that we should stop soon. Look, there's a scrap heap over there. There should be something there we can use.'
A loud crash from the direction of the scrap heap stopped them dead. 'Erm… Gazza? What was that?' Galileo looked nothing short of terrified, 'I d-d-dunno. And I don't think I'm all that keen on finding out.' Sally put her hands on her hips, 'Gazza. It won't be anything to be scared of. The SP's would be quiet, and there won't be any animals there. Go and see what it is.' Seeing the look on his face she added, 'Oh, fine. I'll go then.' And she stomped off in the direction of the scrap heap.
Galileo watched as Sally walked towards the dump, he cursed quietly to himself, 'Galileo you idiot, you promised to protect her, and you let her wander off into, well, I dunno what.' Looking up he saw Sally turn the corner into the scrap yard, 'Scara! Wait! I'm sorry, I'll go!' Sally heard him but didn't turn back, stubbornness stopped her. As she slipped cautiously round the corner into the mess of scrap metal, wood and other junk, a second crash followed by the exclamation, 'OW! Pop you idiot.' came from behind a pile of wooden benches and corrugated iron sheets. Sally turned a second corner and saw an aging man sprawled on the floor, having evidently been knocked over by a falling chair. The man had his back to her and got up, focusing his attention entirely on a sheet of tarpaulin that he was attempting to tug out from under a pile of wooden scraps.
Sally watched for a moment or two, regarding the man with amusement, he still hadn't noticed her and she coughed once, to let him know that she was there. Either he hadn't heard her, or he was ignoring her, as he didn't react, or acknowledge that she was there. She had been about to cough again when Galileo burst around the corner, 'Scara, there you are! I'm sorry, I shouldn't have let you come in here alone, I-' He stopped mid-sentence as he noticed the man, who had now spun round, tarpaulin in hand, and was eyeing the pair with a mixture of fear and amusement. Galileo's eyes flickered rapidly between the man and Sally, finally settling on Sally, 'W-w-who's that?' She shrugged, and he turned to the man, 'W-w-who're you?'
The man's fear vanished and he walked casually over to the two, extending his hand to Galileo, 'Pop. Well, it's what I'm called at least.' Galileo took the man's hand, and smiled nervously at him. The man smiled back, encouragingly, 'And you are…?'
'Oh, sorry. I'm G-g-galileo. Galileo Figaro.'
Pop looked curiously towards Sally, 'And your bird is….?'
Galileo extended his arm, wrapping it around Sally's waist protectively, 'This is Scaramouche.'
Sally raised an eyebrow, looking sceptically at the man, 'His bird? Nuh-uh. Fiancée.'
'Fiancée, eh? Should I leave you two alone?' Pop smiled, laughter lines forming at his eyes, and the corners of his mouth, his wrinkles becoming more pronounced.
Sally frowned, 'That won't be necessary-.'
She was cut off by Pop laughing, 'I wasn't expecting an invitation.' He looked towards Galileo, 'Sorry, mate, you're not my type. I'll take you up on the offer anytime though darlin'.' He added to Sally as he started to walk away. 'I'll leave you to it.'
Sally turned to Galileo, 'Stop him!' She said in a hushed whisper. 'He could know where the hell we are, and where to get out of this goddamned rain.' She looked up to the sky, musing, 'I thought it had eased off, but evidently not.' She rocked back and forth gently on her toes, 'I hate the drizzle. And my boots are squelching.' She pushed him in he direction of the man's retreating back, 'Go after him!'
Galileo ran after the man, who turned round as he heard Galileo's footsteps pounding on the ground as he ran. 'Excuse me, Mr, erm… Pop. Would you be able to help us?'
Pop looked curious, 'With what?'
Galileo looked embarrassed, 'Well the thing is…'
Pop's amusement increased, 'Let me guess. You're runaways and you need a place to stay.'
'W-w-well, yeah.' Galileo stuttered, 'How'd you know?'
The man laughed again, 'Kid, it's obvious. The embarrassment, your dress, the fiancée thing… need I go on?' He gestured with the tarpaulin, 'I can put you up for a night or so. If you help me fix the roof, that's what I needed this for.'
Sally had joined them, and put her hand firmly in Galileo's, a small but meaningful gesture. 'You won't tell the authorities will you? My parents have probably already told them I'm missing. Please, will you help us?' It wasn't often she was reduced to begging, or even being polite, but Pop clearly realised this and nodded, 'Nah. I won't tell them. Do I look like the sort of person who lives within the bounds of Globalsoft?' He gestured to his battered, worn and weathered trousers that were fraying at the knees, his ripped old shirt and gradually decaying denim waistcoat.
Sally smiled gently at him, her relief apparent, 'Thank you… Pop.'
Pop started to walk away again, calling back over his shoulder, 'I can't wait all day. If you're going to come, come now.' Galileo tightened his grip on Sally's hand, raising it to his lips and kissing it softly. 'Let's go.' Sally squeezed his hand back, but walked quickly to catch up with Pop, her heart racing as they took a second leap into the unknown.
