The Last Stand: The Deleted Scenes

Five

(From Chapter Fifteen)

Algernon appeared behind a tree on a hill in the middle of the Exeter University campus. He peered around the trunk to ascertain whether there was anyone in the immediate vicinity who would be perturbed by seeing a strangely-dressed man step out from behind a tree, and once establishing that the coast was clear, he went to step out into the sunlight. Before he could do so, however, he was interrupted by a voice near his knees.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you."

Algernon looked down to see a young woman sitting at the base of the tree that he had appeared behind, eating what appeared to be a plastic tub full of potato salad. There was a copy of Faust lying open by her feet , which were encased in the most ridiculously high shoes that Algernon had ever seen. A laptop computer was idling on her lap as she spooned potato salad into her mouth.

"I beg your pardon?" he asked, but he was already on the verge of a facepalm. Trust Algernon to materialise behind the only tree on the entire campus that had a person under it.

"I said I wouldn't do that if I were you. The weather here is unlike anywhere else. It might look nice now, but believe me, it's just fooling you."

Algernon looked down at the girl. She did not seem to be in the least bit disturbed by the sudden appearance of the wizard. She passed him the plastic tub and began to rummage in the voluminous handbag by her side. Algernon had the sneaking feeling that he had seen that bag, or its ilk, somewhere before…

"I know it's in here somewhere, I never travel without it…" she was muttering. "Aha!"

She held out a bright red folding umbrella, much akin to the one that Della had thrown at the Devil earlier. Suddenly, Algernon realised where he knew the bag from.

"There, take that. You'll need it. Good luck, and the Peter Chalk Centre is at the top of the hill."

"I, erm, thank you."

Algernon took the umbrella, and sure enough, as soon as he had stepped out from under the cover of the trees, the heavens opened. He put up the umbrella and began his ascent of the hill, wondering how the girl had known that he was going to the Peter Chalk Centre. As he turned back for a final look at the strange specimen, he noticed the title of the document that she had just brought up on her laptop.

The Last Stand – The Deleted Scenes…

Shameless self-insertion, but it was too good an opportunity to pass up. Hey, they say write what you know, and I do. Frequently. Chapter Fifteen was a prime example.