Heedless of the damp newspapers drifting along the languid current, he waded further towards his flooded van. Yesterday's trash strewn across a fold-up table was scattered, while the travel chairs, the tacky table tarp, the notebook - all gone forever.

"There you are," she greeted him. A puff of smoke escaped her lips. He prayed it was from a cigarette.

"How much damage?" he asked.

"Engine's drenched," she replied nonchalantly. "Maybe it's time we-"

"No."

"Jeez. Have it your way," she dropped the cig into the murky water. "But know this - I'm tired of you leading us into trouble."