Part Four: Ardalis

“I assumed I must have been on another planet. Things here are so different. I’ve never heard of this South Africa.”

“Where are you from, then?”

“I was in Ardalis just moments ago.”

“Where?”

“Ardalis.”

“Wheres that?”

He looked at her. “You’ve never heard of Ardalis.” It wasn’t a question. It was like he was pointing out how stupid that statement sounded.

“uh. No.”

He rubbed his face in his hand. “And yet we’re on earth.” He whispered. “Damn this!” He roared suddenly and smashed his fist into the table in front of him. “What in Hel is going on?”

The medical student jumped suddenly. It took an effort for her not to scream. The table was shattered into splinters. He broke it like it was a house of cards. “Temper temper.” She murmured in a shaking voice.

“Great Thinzar!” He said in an exasperated voice as he stood up. He turned to her suddenly. “Show me around this place.”

“where?” Her eyes darted around nervously.

“This place, you idiot! This South Africa!”

“uh..its a whole country.”

“Show me!” He roared, and she wasn’t about to argue.

He followed her to her car. He had some trouble opening the car door.

“What do you want me to do?” he sounded baffled.

“Open the door, and sit down like this.” She opened her door and sat down.
He said something quietly, but she couldn’t hear him behind the closed door. She leaned over and opened his door for him from the inside. “What?”

“I said what is this?”

“uh..this is a car. Where are you from?”
“Ardalis. A place I cannot believe you’ve never heard of.”

“Whatever. Are you going to sit down?”