“So, solar power is making a comeback,” said Madeline, resting with her arms crossed on the balcony that overlooked the underground city of New Melbourne. “Can’t say I saw that coming, given everything going on up there, what with the giant cockroaches and all.”
Dirk shrugged, standing just out of Madeline’s reach. “Guess they’ve found a way to get around them. My boss sounds pretty confident that the giant insects won’t be a problem.”
“Your boss – Gideon Nightshade, is that right? Here I was thinking he worked in the construction business. But I guess that means you’re somewhat of an expert on solar now. Do you think they’ll bring something back similar to the Victorian Energy Savings Scheme?”
Gulping, Dirk wasn’t sure how to respond to that. The truth was that he knew absolutely nothing about solar lease agreements and energy savings. To be honest, he wasn’t even sure how solar panels worked in the first place.
“I suppose there’s a chance,” he eventually said. “The Victorian Energy Savings Plan did a lot of good back in the day, didn’t it?”
Madeline offered her infamous, wicked grin. “Oh, Dirk, always so gullible. Victoria didn’t have a scheme like that; the NSW Energy Savings Scheme is what you’re thinking of – or at least, it’s what you would be thinking of if you actually knew what you’re talking about. But the truth is that you have no idea because you’re not really a solar energy expert, are you?”
Dirk glanced away, embarrassed that she’d fooled him so easily. Regardless, he wouldn’t admit it. She wasn’t going to just drop the conversation for anything though, so he’d need something truly distracting.
“Madeline,” he said softly, accompanied by a sigh. “I need to know. Why did you leave?”
The woman let out a long puff of air. “Dirk, I’m sorry that my leaving seemed so sudden. But from my perspective, you were gone for two whole weeks! You were never around, and soon enough I got sick of spending more time with your crewmates than you.”
Dirk sighed again, although this time it was genuine. He supposed that he couldn’t really blame her for that.