032 :: Learning to ehhlie

Peter came into the room. Naomi was lying on the bed.

You get used to the rules. Soon you will not even think about it. (Peter)

He dressed. Tee shirt. Harems. Ehhlies.

Have you worn ehhlies. (Peter)

Naomi shook her head. Peacher reached for the pair of trainers on their charger. He held them out to her. She took them. Held them like she was weighing them. She smiled at Peter. He took them back. Put one on the ground. Held the other. He pressed the ankle button and the wheels sprang out. On both the trainers. The one on the ground rolled forward slowly. He pressed the ankle button again and the wheels retracted. A normal trainer again. Naomi giggled. She slipped on her shorts. She sat to put on her invisible socks and her new ehhlies. She stood up cautiously. She lifted one foot. Put it down. Lifted the other. Laughed again. Jumped twice. Squatted down. Pressed the ankle button. Wobbled. Fell on her bum.

The hardest thing is standing up. It is easy after that. I will help you when we are outside. (Peter)

Peter pressed the ankle button. Helped Naomi to stand. He put her hand on the table. She balanced while he pressed the angle button again. She stood easily. He pushed her gently. She rolled to the door. She pushed herself from the door to the bed. And back.

Peter got the backpack from the cupboard. He took the ehhlie-drive from its charger. Put it in the bag. Gave it to Naomi. He did the same for his ehhlie-drive. Put on his backpack. Looked at Naomi. She was wearing her backpack. He laughed. Held out her tee shirt. She laughed. Took off the backpack and dressed properly.

They left.

We can not ride here. This neighbourhood is a quiet street. (Peter)

Naomi did not translate what Peter said. She just did what he did. They walked to the end of their cul-de-sac. The wealth can be seen in small details. Mature trees. Plush gardens. Ornate facades. All austere and immaculately kept. They turned right towards the shops.

First your ehhlie. (Peter)

Peter pointed to her feet. Naomi held the fence. Peter bent and pressed her ankle. Naomi wobbled a little. Peter took her hand. He pulled her a little. She slid along the pavement. She wobbled. Held onto him tightly. She giggled. She slid her feet a little more. Wobbled again. Laughed. He laughed. She skated. He walked holding her steady. She wobbled less. Moved more freely. Held less tightly.

Peter stopped them. Naomi held onto the fence. Peter took her ehhlie-drive from her backpack. He put it on the ground in front of her. He put his foot in front of the wheel. He pointed to her Skroll in her pocket. She opened her Skroll.

It will not move if there is something in its way. So always put your foot in front of it when tethering. (Peter)

He pulled out the tether. It came out like a string unwinding on a yo-yo. At full length it stiffened. Solid as a handle-bar.

You hold it like this. (Peter)

He slipped the band about his wrist. He took hold of the handle.

You squeeze to go faster. (Peter)

He moved his foot. He squeezed. The ehhlie-drive pulled him forward.

You twist to turn. (Peter)

He twisted his hand. The ehhlie-drive followed his twist. The wheel curved left until he was coming back towards her.

Let go to stop. Your ehhlies will brake until you stop. (Peter)

Peter opened his hand. The wheel stopped.

Your ehhlies will release when you grip again. (Peter)

Peter wrapped his fingers about the tether. Spun round.

The ehhlie-drive knows you are a beginner. You can’t go fast. You are going to practise an emergency stop first. You will squeeze. Then let go. (Peter)

Naomi nodded. He placed his foot in front of the wheel again. She closed her Skroll and put it in her pocket. He strapped the tether to her wrist. He wrapped his fingers over hers on the handle. He removed his foot. He squeezed her hand gently. The tether puller her. He opened her hand. It stopped.

Ready. (Peter)

Naomi nodded. Peter let go. Naomi squeezed tentatively. She leaned back. She started moving. Peter moved at the same speed as her. A slow walking speed. Peter held out a fist. He opened the fist. Naomi let go of the handle. She stopped almost instantly. She wobbled. She laughed. She gave Peter a big smile. A thumbs up. They started off again. Peter wiggled his hand like a slalom. Naomi twisted the handle. The ehhlie-drive turned to the fence. It stopped. Naomi nearly fell. Peter shrugged. He pointed to her Skroll. She opened it.

When you are going to crash let go. Your ehhlies will stop you safely. (Peter)

Naomi nodded. She put away her skroll. Peter pointed the ehhlie-drive in the right direction. They did not walk. Peter was looking behind Naomi. She turned. Someone was coming up the road. Peter leaned against the france. The person was tall. Wearing a tight tee shirt. Muscular. Long trousers. Dark skin. Braided hair. His face was powerful. Angular. It matched his physique. Dark eyes. Nearly black. Eyes that did not smile. He nodded to Peter. He smiled at Naomi.

Hi there. (Jack)

Hi Jack. This is Naomi. (Peter)

Hi Naomi. You have the most beautiful sad eyes. (Jack)

She does not speak English. (Peter)

Jack stood smiling at Naomi. Naomi smiled at Jack. He took his Skroll from his pocket. He held it up to her. She took out her Skroll. They tapped.

Welcome to the neighbourhood. My name is Jack. I am your neighbour. Like me. (Jack)

He took her hand. He kissed it like in the old movies. He turned. Skated down the road. They watched him.

Shall we go. (Peter)

They carried on. All the way to the main road. Naomi did not crash again. She slalomed slowly along the pavement. She turned the corner with caution. At the main road Peter held up his hand. Naomi let go of the tether. Peter rolled it up. He put it in her backpack. He touched her ankle button.

No ehhlies allowed on the main roads. (Peter)

Naomi took out her Skroll. She tapped and spoke.

How you remember rules. (Naomi)

It is all on your Skroll. It will buzz when you are breaking a rule. When it buzzes take it out and it will tell you what rule you are breaking. (Peter)

033 :: Shopping
Naomi and Peter walked down the high street. Across the lights. Back forty...