"Oh, Renton. This is where you ask me whether I believe we'll find a world that time forgot?" She smiled and shook her head. "The truth is, I don't' have a clue."
"But here you are."
"Damned right. When was the last time you were in a classroom, Renton?"
"Oh, it's been a while."
"I teach four days a week," she said. "That doesn't sound like much, I know. The pay's all right—it's not some godforsaken high school where the students carry guns. I'm not complaining, really… well, I am, but it's a small complaint, okay? It's boring, Renton. Every twelve to eighteen months, I write another monograph on ancient spoors, whatever, and I play the game with office politics. But this… I mean, we're having an adventure, right? And if we do find something, think of it!"
"Like prospecting," he offered, dangling the bait.
"I never thought of it that way," said Audrey, "but I guess that's right. You go out looking, maybe strike it rich, or maybe come back empty-handed. But at least you did something."
"You're awfully young to be stuck in a rut," he said.
"I'm not that young, but thanks for noticing."
"I couldn't miss."
"It's hard to understand, I guess, unless you've been there, from a woman's point of view. I mean, if you want some excitement, all you have to do is milk your cobra."
Remo smiled at that. "You need a hobby," he suggested.
"Oh, I have one," Audrey told him, "but it needs discretion. Fraternizing with the students is a no-no, and I wouldn't touch most of my colleagues with a ten-inch pole, assuming I could find one."
"That's a problem, if you set your sights too high."
"I'm flexible," she said. "You'd be surprised."
"I might, at that."
A splash drew their attention to the riverbank, where a long reptilian tail was vanishing from sight.
"No crocodiles?"
"That's one thing, when you deal with living species," Remo said. "They don't play by the rules."
"Makes life more interesting," said Audrey. "What are your rules, Renton?"
"Live and let live," Remo said. "What goes around—"
"Is there a Mrs. Dr. Ward?" she interrupted him.
"Well, there's a candidate of sorts… "
"Sounds to me as if you still have… options."
"Those we have… until we die."
"I'm surprised."
"How so?"
"You seem the type a woman who would want to tie down for good."
"Most, or many women would. It's a certain instinct with them."
"I'm not most women," Audrey said.
"I'm picking up on that."
"I like perceptive men. They know what makes a woman tick."
"Is that so difficult?"
"You'd be surprised. I've had my share of 'wham, bam, thank you ma'am.'"
"Disgraceful."
"Which is not to say I'm out of touch with urgency."
"It never crossed my mind," said Remo.
"I mean, quickies have their place," she said. "In public, for example."
Remo smiled and shook his head. "I really couldn't say."
"You've missed a lot," said Audrey. "What you need is an accomplished tutor."
"I get wrapped up in my work," he said.
"You know the rule—all work… "
"You've got a point."
Her left hand dropped below the rail and out of sight, warm fingers lightly grazing Remo's fly.
"You, too."
A whistle sounded, and the Babi Kali swung toward shore. A sagging wooden dock thrust outward from the bank. On shore, a white nun in her fifties waited, flanked by half a dozen Malays.
"I should go and check on Safford," Audrey remarked.
"Sounds like a plan."
"I'll see you later, to continue our discussion."