Act VII cont - Borodin

The applause sounded long and loud, ringing through the ballroom as the actors took their bows, until Theo walked to the centre front and raised his hands.

“Friends, friends … I think I can call you that after we have spent this congenial time in each other’s company. I am gratified to hear you enjoyed our play, and hope this won’t be the last time we meet. But until then, let me wish you all a fond farewell and a safe journey home. Goodnight.” He bowed deeply and swept off the stage, followed by the rest of the actors, as the clapping broke out again.

Theo beamed at his troupe. “That was well done, everyone. Thank you.”

“Yeah, well done,” Zoe said, stepping up close behind him. “But we’ve still got two missing people here, and no way of finding them.”

“They’re leaving,” Kaylee said, peering through the scenery.

“About gorram time.” Jayne stood up. “Bose going?”

“Everyone is.”

Zoe turned to him. “Jayne, let us know when the guards have gone.”

“On it.” The big man loped off.

-

Mal stared up into the small room at the end of the corridor. “Seems we’ve found it.”

Water was pouring through a pipe above their heads, wide enough to take a body.

“I can’t climb up there!” Saffron insisted, her shivering becoming almost uncontrollable.

“Don’t have to. We’ll wait for the room to fill then swim out.”

“What if we can’t get through? If it turns too tightly, or gets narrow or –“

“Darlin’, we’re in line to drown one way or the other. If it’s gonna happen then I’d kinda like to go down fighting. Or swimming, in this case.”

“What about that rescue you talked about?”

Mal paused a moment. “Honestly?”

“Why not? It would make a change.”

“Then honestly, I don’t think they’re gonna get here in time. So we make our own way out.”

Saffron stared at him. “You’re insane.”

“It’s been said.”

“In which case …” She thought for a moment, then tugged on his arm. “Come on.”

“Where? Saffron, I don’t see another way out of th