Chapter 2
CAR
It took most of the next day for them to catch up on sleep, as Australia is more than 12 hours ahead of America; but eventually, Nicole and Mia got up. Most of the first day was spent seeing the sights. They looked around St. Patrick's Cathedral, as well as going to a nearby conservatory. They were now driving along through the suburbs.
MIA: So, where are we?
NICOLE: It's still technically Melbourne, but it's unincorporated Melbourne. The suburbs. To be honest, I'm not really sure.
MIA: What happened to the map?
NICOLE: That's the one thing I forgot to pack. I packed up everything else this morning except the map.
MIA: Well, hopefully, we'll find something soon enough.
As it happens, they did. They came upon one of Melbourne's larger suburbs. They stopped at a little family owned restaurant.
HAROLD'S STORE
Nicole and Mia walked in and up to the cash register. They looked over the menu for a moment, and a young woman wearing a name tag that said
Paige stepped up behind the counter.
PAIGE: Hiya. How ya goin'?
MIA: We're good.
NICOLE: Pretty good. Um, could you please tell us where we are.
PAIGE: Well, at the moment, you're Harold's. Are you two from America?
NICOLE: Yeah, how'd you guess?
PAIGE: The accent gives it away.
MIA: Accent? We don't have accents, you do.
PAIGE: Sorry, love, maybe in the States, I would. But, out here, you're the ones with accents.
MIA: Got it.
PAIGE: So, what can I get for you?
NICOLE: I'll just have a burger and Coke.
MIA: Same, but I'll have Sprite.
PAIGE: Either of you want chips with that?
MIA: Sure.
NICOLE: Sounds good.
Paige typed in the orders.
PAIGE: Right, two burgers and chips, one Coke and one Sprite. That'll be $18.69.
Nicole handed Paige a $20 and got her change. She and Mia sat down and, in a short amount of time, got their food.
NICOLE: Well, this place is nice.
MIA: Yeah. But, I thought we were getting chips.
Mia picked up a fry.
MIA: These are fries.
NICOLE: They're also chips. What we know as fries back home are called chips here. What we know as chips back home are called crisps.
MIA: Interesting.
The two finished eating. Before leaving, Nicole walked back up to the counter.
NICOLE: Excuse me? Paige, right?
PAIGE: That's me. What can I do for you?
NICOLE: My daughter and I are new to the area. Do you know of anywhere nearby we can stay for the night?
PAIGE: Well, there's Lassiter's, right down the street.
NICOLE: Okay, thanks. What town is this, anyway? I must have missed the sign on my way in.
PAIGE: Erinsborough. Enjoy your time.
NICOLE: Great. Thanks. Have a nice day.
PAIGE: You too.
LASSITER'S
It was a short drive from Harold's to the Lassiter's Complex. Nicole and Mia walked into the reception area.
Terese was standing behind the desk.
TERESE: Hullo. Welcome Lassiter's. I'm Terese Willis. How can I help you?
NICOLE: Nicole Walker. My daughter and I would like a room, please?
TERESE: No problem. What floor would you like?
NICOLE: Any floor's fine. No preference.
TERESE: How long will you be staying?
NICOLE: Just a few days.
Then, a tall intense looking man,
Paul Robinson, entered.
PAUL: Terese, we have got to go over this schedule for the festival. The time for my speech is far too short!
TERESE: Paul, I'm with a customer right now. Anyway, I'm not in control of the festival anymore. You gave that job to Naomi. Take it up with her.
Paul stopped when he saw Nicole.
PAUL: Oh good lord no. Nicole.