Tourists

“Look, that must be it, over there Bert” said Ernie.

Ernie pointed out of the truck window at the mangled pile of twisted metal that had been abandoned on the edge of the city boundaries. To the guys, it was just another abandoned vehicle that they had to retrieve and dispose of, but to the original owners it was initial heartbreak followed by a claim to the insurance company. Either way both parties get paid in the end which suited Bert and Ernie down to the ground. Everyone’s a winner, so they say.

Bert pulled up alongside the wreckage and stopped the engine. He wound down the window and peered closely at the vehicle next to him. A look of puzzlement crossed his face.          

“Hey Ernie, in all of my years doing this job, I have to honestly say, I have never seen this make before, have you?” 

“Nope, it’s a new one on me too” said Ernie.

Bert shrugged his shoulders, and opened the door and climbed out. He walked to the back of the truck and started unwinding the lifting gear. Ernie appeared on the other side and helped carry the chains and strapping over to the car. Moving quickly, Bert slid the webbing straps beneath the vehicle and Ernie attached the lifting chains to each end.

“So what do you think Ernie, another joyrider?” 

“Looks that way Bert” said Ernie in agreement.

“I mean look, it must have been a prize catch, it’s got a private plate” said Ernie, pointing to the rear of the vehicle.

“Read it to me, I’ll put it through the computer; see if we can trace it back to its owner.”

“Right it is, B E A G L E 2” said Ernie.

Bert typed it into the computer and waited for an answer. The screen came back blank, no idea, and an unknown, unregistered vehicle. Both men knew what this meant. The vehicle would be taken back to the yard and crushed. Ernie flipped a switch on the side of the truck and the wreckage was hoisted up and on to the back of the truck.

Once the vehicle was secured, both men climbed back into the truck. Bert started the engine and started driving back to the yard in the city. On the way back, they both heard a loud noise coming from behind them. Bert stopped the vehicle and they both turned round and looked through the small window. In the distance, somewhere in the open desert, they spotted something coming down from the sky. It was a rocket, and it was landing. Both men turned and looked at each other knowingly, and in unison they opened their mouths.

“Tourists.”