One Among the Sleepless, a novel written and performed for podcast by Mike Bennett. This novel is intended for an adult

audience. Episode 9 Chapter 7.

Peter sat down.

As he did so, he felt something digging into his behind.

He shifted and brushed the seat behind him. His fingers touched something

hard and sharp. He drew it out and inspected it as the tramp drove up to the junction with the Western Road and turned right.

What's this?

Peter held up a crystal of broken safety glass. Dusty glanced over.

Glass.

I know it's glass. What what I mean is how did it get here?

I tried to clean it up, Dusty replied, but you know how it is. There's always a few

pieces that seem to slip through the net. Peter looked at the glass between his fingers, then at Dusty.

Did you steal this car? Dusty's eyes were on the traffic ahead.

All property is theft.

Peter gave a short, derisory laugh.

Ha, ha, that's what all thieves say.

Dusty said nothing.

You did, didn't you? This car is mine, Peter nodded. Fine. Dusty smiled. Yes, he gets me around.

Uh, yeah.

They rode in silence for a short while.

Peter is hoping the tramp would make some kind of opening gambit concerning the problem, but after about

a minute it became apparent that he was content just to drive. So, Peter began,

...