Tunnels 03, Freefall

Will said. His father clucked and gave him a frosty look before stumping off towards the door at the far end of the hall, beyond which lay the archives and his old office.
    But just as he reached the doorway, a young man stepped out and blocked his way.
    "I'm sorry, sir, you can't go in there. It's off limits to he public," the man said pleasantly but firmly. "Museum staff only, I'm afraid." He was dressed in a smart blue suit with a lapel badge which said Curator on it. He looked very young, even to Will's eyes.
    "I am--" Dr. Burrows began and immediately halted as, unseen by the man, Will nudged his father in the small of the back.
    Dr. Burrows grunted, and the man took a step back. Will realized how odd his father must appear to him, with his old Navy duffle coat done up the neck, and the woolly hat pulled down low over his head.
    "Can I be of assistance, sir? I saw you were admiring our new interactive display -- I'd be delighted to give you a guided tour of our other exhibits." The young man glanced around the floor of the museum and lowered his voice as if he was confiding some vital secret to Dr. Burrows. "I'm afraid that many of them are rather unexceptional. You might have noticed that this museum is a little, er... how shall I put it... in need of modernization. It was badly neglected by the previous management." He drew in a long breath as if he was preparing himself for a massive task. "But now I'm at the helm, I intend to revamp the whole place with the help of some p-r-e-t-t-y substantial funding I've secured."
    The man smiled, expecting an enthusiastic response from Dr. Burrows, but his smile evaporated as he got something altogether very different.
    "I like it precisely the way it is," Dr. Burrows said as if someone was strangling him.
    Will's heart went out to his father. All Dr. Burrows' work at the museum had been belittled in a few throwaway sentences. As Will watched him, Dr. Burrows head lowered and he seemed to deflate. Will wanted to say something, but he couldn't think of the right words. What was so ironic was that his father had absolutely nothing to be ashamed of.
    With all the innumerable and outstanding discoveries he'd made in the Colony and the Deeps, Dr. Burrows would one day be lauded as a great explorer and scientist, perhaps the greatest of the century. But none of that seemed to matter to him right now, as he stood there, his shoulders bowed with disappointment. Will couldn't understand why his father still seemed to care so much about this rather third-rate place, which could never hope to compare with the wealthier museums in central London.
    "A lot of time and effort was put into all these displays, you know," Dr. Burrows said. "I think they're very effective."
    "Well, each to his own," the young man replied defensively. "These days it's a different game entirely. It's all about interactivity and community involvement. The trick is to give the kids some buzzy new technology to get their attention, and also to pull in the local people by inviting them to participate in time capsules and the like. Yes, Interaction and Involvement spell Interest and Income. The 'four I's" principle."
    As Will scanned the hall, he wondered if the new curator's vision would prove to be successful in Highfield. Perhaps this rather dusty and neglected museum was a true reflection of the heart of the borough.
    "So, do you live around here?" the curator asked, breaking the silence.
    "Sort of," Dr. Burrows replied.
    "Well, if you're interested I'm always on the lookout for people to assist me with the running of the museum, you know, to help at--"
    "Weekends," Dr. Burrows cut in. "Ah, yes, the Saturday squad."
    The curator's mood changed and he grinned, imagining he'd found a new recruit.
    "I assume you've got Major Joe signed up, and then there'll be Pat Robbins, Jamie Dodd..." Dr. Burrows said, "...and, I'll bet, Franny Bartok."
    The curator nodded at each name as Dr. Burrows reeled them off. Will had stepped to his father's side and saw the twinkle in his eye as he continued to speak. He was definitely up to something.
    "And how could I forget the one and only Oscar Embers," Dr. Burrows said.
    "Oscar Embers?" The curator stopped nodding. "No, I don't recall anyone of that name."
    "No? Are you sure... he was a retired actor and always the most passionate and committed of the bunch."
    The curator couldn't help but notice the look that passed between Dr. Burrows and Will.
    "No, I've never come across