Thief of Time - Movement

Soak? He knew the name! The man had delivered milk to the Guild! Good fresh milk, too, not the watery, green-tinted stuff the other dairies supplied. Very reliable, everyone said. But, reliable or not, he was just a milkman. All right, just a very good milkman, and if time had stopped, then why-

Lobsang looked around desperately. The people and carts that thronged the street were still there. No one had moved. No one could move.

But something was running along the gutter. It looked like a rat in a black robe, running along on its hind legs. It looked up at Lobsang, and he saw that it had a skull rather than a head. As skulls went, it was quite a cheerful one.

The word SQUEAK manifested itself inside his brain without bothering to go via his ears. Then the rat hopped onto the pavement and scampered down an alley.

Lobsang followed it.

A moment later someone behind him grabbed him by the neck. He went to break the lock, and realized how much he'd relied on slicing when he was fought. Besides, the person behind him had a very strong grip indeed.

'I just want to make sure you don't do anything silly,' it said. It was a female voice. 'What is this thing on your back?'

'Who are-?'

'The protocol in these matters,' said the voice, 'is that the person with the killer neck-grip asks the questions.'

'Er, it's a Procrastinator. Er, it stores time. Who-'

'Oh dear, there you go again. What is your name?'

'Lobsang. Lobsang Ludd. Look, could you wind me up, please? It's urgent.'

'Certainly. Lobsang Ludd, you are thoughtless and impulsive and deserve to die a stupid and pointless death.'

'What?'

'And you are also rather slow on the uptake. You are referring to this handle?'

'Yes. I'm running out of time. Now can I ask who you are?'

'Miss Susan. Hold still.'

He heard, behind him, the incredibly welcome sound of the Procrastinators clockwork being rewound.

'Miss Susan?' he said.

That's what most people I know call me. Now, I'm going to let you go. I will add that trying anything stupid will be counterproductive. Besides, I'm the only person in the world right now who might be inclined to twiddle your handle again.’

***

The Thief of Time - p239-241