And their world changes...
There had been an earthquake weeks earlier. It had frightened the citizens of Central and had been talked about for days. But it was mostly agreed that something like that wouldn't happen again for a very long time.
It seems that they were wrong.
The day the second one struck, Russell had worked out in the back garden in the morning, had lunch with Fletcher and, for someone unknown reason, had ended up visiting a familiar church.
It had been a nice day outside, by all respects, and Russell had just come back from his chance meeting with Al. He was contemplating taking his dinner in Milliways after talking with Fletcher.
It just so happens that Russell wouldn't make it back to Milliways for a very long time.
Quite suddenly, as these things happen, the floors and walls and windows - the entire world, it seemed - began shaking violently.
Beakers fell from the table to the floor, windows panes shattered, and Russell pushed Fletcher out of the way as one of the bookshelves that lined the wall crashed forward.
Neither had time to spare a look at their ruined experiments, broken microscopes, and fallen plants, as they ran outside.
It is a narrow street, lined with shops and homes, most of them more than one floor.
And they were all crumbling.
It seems that they were wrong.
The day the second one struck, Russell had worked out in the back garden in the morning, had lunch with Fletcher and, for someone unknown reason, had ended up visiting a familiar church.
It had been a nice day outside, by all respects, and Russell had just come back from his chance meeting with Al. He was contemplating taking his dinner in Milliways after talking with Fletcher.
It just so happens that Russell wouldn't make it back to Milliways for a very long time.
Quite suddenly, as these things happen, the floors and walls and windows - the entire world, it seemed - began shaking violently.
Beakers fell from the table to the floor, windows panes shattered, and Russell pushed Fletcher out of the way as one of the bookshelves that lined the wall crashed forward.
Neither had time to spare a look at their ruined experiments, broken microscopes, and fallen plants, as they ran outside.
It is a narrow street, lined with shops and homes, most of them more than one floor.
And they were all crumbling.