An old prospector leading a burro came around the wall of sandstone and looked at the Monster, then at the occupants of the jeep.
"Howdy, folks," he said.
"Hello," Lewis said. "We're lost. Where are we and which way do we go to get to civilization?"
"What's that thing?" the prospector asked, looking at the Monster.
"A scientific experiment that was never finished," Lewis said.
"What I figured," the prospector said. "You scientists out here always up to something." He pointed to the right. "Keep going that way and you'll find a narrow road. Follow it and you'll hit the middle of the valley and a highway right into the Chocolate Mountains."
Lewis knew where he was. The Chocolate Mountains walled off the rushing Colorado River from the Imperial Valley and Los Angeles farther on.
"Thanks," Lewis said.
"How's the war going these days?" Betty asked.
The prospector scratched his head and replaced his felt hat. He looked at them oddly.