He lay on the bench watching the traffic light change.  It was the only one in the entire city that still worked.  Maybe that’s why he had such a fascination with it.  It was one of a kind – just like him.  Or maybe it was because that’s where he had met her.

He enjoyed these rare moments.  Quiet.  Peaceful.  The skies were blue and dotted with wispy clouds.  It was good to be here even if it only lasted for a little while.  As he basked in the sun, a gentle breeze tickled his nose and he caught her scent.

“Ah, Miss Molly, I was wondering when you would be coming around,” he said, sitting up to give her his full attention.

“I see you are making fine use of your time as usual, Jet.”

“Well, in my defense, there ain’t a whole lot to do around here these days, you know.”

“Yes, but still, is this the best you can do?  I mean, really, Jet, sometimes I just don’t understand you.”

Jet joined Molly as she continued down the street.

“Molly, Molly, come on, girl, I was just taking a break.  I’ve been working all day long.  Hard at it, too.”

“Really?”

“You bet.”

“I’m not sure I believe you, but I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt this time.”

“Whaddaya say we scrounge up some dinner?”

“Scrounge?”  Molly shuddered.  “Now there’s a word I never would have thought would describe my dinner.”

“You just lived too high on the hog, Moll, what with your schmancy house and fine dinin’ and such.  It’s probably a good thing you’ve had to learn how the real world lives.”

“Yes, probably so...” Molly’s voice trailed off and she came to a halt all of a sudden.

Directly ahead were two four lane roads that had bustled with traffic at one time.  On the other side of them were several city administration buildings including a large fire house and a police station.  In the distance, reaching for the sky, were the arches of two of the city’s bridges.

“L-let’s go back the other way,” Molly said, her voice trembling.

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