Chapter 50

Four forty five o’clock and the Testing Center’s lights flashed.

There weren’t very many of us left. Most of the athletes had taken the ‘Placement Test’ and departed. Some of us took CLEP tests until our wrists felt like our hands were departing our arms. The Center Proctor said, “Ten minutes, please.” She sounded like a Brit Pub proprietor calling ‘Time, Gentlemen. Time.”

Alice groaned, scribbled a last few lines and handed in. I didn’t know she’d stayed.

For a girl who’s avowed interest was college age men I wasn’t expecting her to test.

Ms Proctor said, “Tyche ... will we see you tomorrow?”

“Yes, ma’am ... eight o’clock?”

“Eight ... yes. Alice, will you be here?” That got a nod.

“Anyone else?”

Several agreed.

The lights flashed again.

“I’ll see those who wish to continue at Eight.”

We were herded out.

“That was exhausting. Anyone up for a beer?” asked one statuesque blonde. She didn’t look like a nerd or geek ... but she’d kept pace with me.

The Princessapalities age of consent is 16 ... Alice could ... and did ... I’m fifteen ... and can’t. I admit to fingers though.

The blonde looked right at me, “How about you?”

“Can’t ... I’m fifteen.”

“College ID?”

“Yes,” I said.

“In Austin,” she said, “College students are of age ... no matter how old you are. Austin’s motto is ‘Keep Austin Weird’ ... we try.”

“April?” I addressed my cohort.

“Yes?”

“Wanna beer?”

“Uh huh.”

“Where to, Blondie?”

“Crown and Anchor Pub,” she said. “How you getting there?”

“Bicycle,” Alice said.

“Me too,” she said. “Wow! What is that?”

“Kona Honzo ST Mountain Bike,” I said.

“Not yours ... hers.”

Alice said, “Zerode Taniwha Mulet.”

“Where are the gears?”

“Transmission in the crankset.”

“Where did it come from?”

“New Zealand,” said Alice.

“Oh.” She said, “Cool looking bike.”

“I hope so ... cost ten grand ... plus shipping.”