Date: Wed, 05 Mar 2003 00:02:49 -0000
From: Gadfly <cdngadfly@usa.net>
Subject: Sowing Wild Oats, Ch.7

NOTE: Comments are appreciated (including critiques) to
cdngadfly@usa.net or ICQ#32364537

Ch. 7: Wheeling Across

Getting to the edge of the darkness, Rob stopped and turned around
to wait for Rick, who was moving slowly and obviously having some
trouble. Rob stepped down onto a tie, and said, "Tie forfeit. You
can come over on the ties if you want."

Rick looked puzzled, "Why did you do that? You didn't need a rest
break?"

"Two reasons. One, you looked like you were about to fall, and
neither of us need that. Two, everything you've made me do so far,
you've done as well, and it's my turn to even the score."

Rick grinned, and moved along more rapidly, using the rail and the
ties. Rob licked his finger and proceeded to do just as Rick had
done earlier, panting when he finished, "You're right, this is
nasty. It's more excruciating than I expected."

"Serves you right -- it was your idea. Now give: what's the drill
for crossing the road?"

"Well," Rob paused for effect, eliciting a frown from Rick. "You may
have noticed that there's been no traffic since we could see the
road, so we'll probably be OK. Jut the same, we don't want to get
caught before we have our excuse of getting our clothes stolen, so
we can't dawdle, as traffic can come up very quickly. I thought we
should do cartwheels or maybe a crab-walk, but the cartwheels or
somersaults are too risky on asphalt and the crab-walk is a bit
slow. A three-legged run would be fun, but we've got nothing to tie
our legs together. So, I think we should wheelbarrow or leapfrog --
I prefer the wheelbarrow, as I was never much good at vaulting."

"Wheelbarrow? You mean that kid's race gimmick?"

"Yep. This is our last chance to act like kids, so let's do it.
Besides, if we beat Ron and George, we can challenge them to a race
and we'll have had a bit of practice. Do you want to be the barrow
or shall I?"

As Rick thought about it, a car whizzed by, surprising them both.
"I'm bigger, so you can be the barrow. I dunno about this, though -
we've got about ten feet either side of the road and sidewalks we've
got to be careful on because of the litter and the light. The
wheelbarrowing will be fast enough, but getting set up will take a
bit of time."

Rob winced, and, after a bit, said, "You're right, but I can't think
of anything else right now. Should we just run across?"

"No, let's do it. I haven't got a better idea and we'd kick
ourselves later if we didn't do something special here. I'm getting
cold just standing here, so let's go." Rick headed towards the road.

Rob beat him there, and got down on his hands and knees by the time
Rick arrived. Rick grabbed Rob's ankles, pulled them to his hips and
they set off.

"Hey, slow down a bit, I can't keep up this pace." Rob yelled back
after a couple of steps. Rick complied but they were across in less
than a minute anyway. Rick set Rob down and headed off to the
darkness. Rob was on his feet in a flash and right behind him. Just
in time, as another car sped along behind them.

"That was close! Next time, hold my legs a little lower, would ya? I
think we could go a bit faster."

"Sorry, haven't done that in ten or fifteen years, and then I was
the barrow. There's the sauna." Rick pointed.

"No problem. Good thing we had a practice run. You wait outside and
I'll check to make sure it's clear." Rob said as he gingerly picked
his way through the undergrowth. "Ouch - take your time, there's
more stuff in these bushes."

Rick nodded, but Rob was well on his way. As he got to the edge of
the building, Rob appeared, carrying some clothes!