“Pass me the water, boy,” said Bob from the back of the truck.

Jimmy passed back a bottle of water. They only had a few bottles left but he knew that it was better to die of thirst than give his boss some water. He figured they had about enough to get them back to the city.

Jimmy had been working with Bob, the professional photographer, for nearly two years now and knew that if you question his decisions you pay the price.

After driving along Desert Highway 1 for about an hour, constantly with their eyes peeled for anything that would make a good photo Jimmy started wondering why Bob bothered with his job. The pay wasn’t great, he was constantly in unbearable heat, and when they found shots the animals were always just lazing under trees.

“Turn right here boy,” demanded Bob from the back of the truck.

“What, right here? But there’s no road,” replied Jimmy.

“Yes I’m not blind boy. Turn right, I have a good feeling.”

Jimmy knew better than to take the argument any further. As long as he got paid more for his trouble, he was happy. Meanwhile Bob sat in the back of the truck searching for any movement and also searching for anything that he might use as a landmark to help him find his way back to the road. Tire tracks weren’t reliable in the desert.

As he sat looking out and occasionally writing a few words on his cryptic crossword, his mind wandered and he began thinking about Jimmy. He knew the boy didn’t like him or nature. He was pretty sure Jimmy was only in it for a bit of cash. The boy had big plans for his life, Hollywood, exotic islands and fame and fortune. Bob was going to fire him after this expedition, he needed someone passionate.

After another 20 minutes or so Bob told Jimmy to stop the car and get out the camera gear. They stopped about 300 meters away from a tree surrounded by lions. Jimmy helped Bob set up their equipment and then let the old man work, occasionally helping him move the camera.

After about an hour, twelve pictures had been taken and Bob decided it was time to head back to the city.

“Alright boy get the stuff in the truck, I want to be home before 9,” ordered Bob as he drank another bottle of water.

“Yes sir,” replied Jimmy sarcastically as he started loading the camera equipment into the truck.

After they’d both settled in Jimmy revved up, did a 180 and started driving.

“How much petrol have we got left boy?” asked Bob, starting to get nervous that they might have to spend the night in the boiling hot desert.

“I’d say enough to get half way back to the city but we might have to borrow someone else’s petrol to make it the whole way.”

“Good. And we’re heading in the right direction?”

“You’d better hope so.”

They continued driving in the same direction for about an hour and they still couldn’t find the road. The petrol was extremely low. Jimmy swore from the front of the truck as the engine spluttered and came to a stop. They both sat in silence for 20 minutes or so and then Jimmy got out of the car, taking the last three water bottles with him.

“Boy, where are you going?” demanded Bob, who was hoping that a helicopter would fly over within a day or two and see the truck and rescue them.

“I’m not waiting around until I die. It’s nearly dark and this is going to be the best time to travel. Are you coming or what?”

Bob wasn’t left with much choice as it would be quite difficult to hold out a few days without any water. That night they walked for hours, all of their water was finished before the sun rose the next morning and they knew they had very little chance.

“Let’s turn right a bit, boy,” suggested Bob, “I have a good feeling.”

Jimmy decided that they had just about no hope and figured he might as well follow his boss with his animal instincts. After walking in the new direction for a few hours both of them were extremely thirsty. Bob seemed to be becoming crazed that something good would be just ahead of them.

“Look boy,” said Bob as they stumbled through the desert dunes, “I’d say that’s an oasis if ever I’ve seen one.

Jimmy laughed, his boss was right, he was going to live. As they got nearer they broke into a jog, and then a run. Finally they reached it, a huge pool of pure blue water, untouched by man. Neither of them had ever felt so happy, and no moment in their lives could ever beat, and would never beat, the refreshing water after being lost in the desert for days. After drinking Jimmy turned around. The lion pounced.

By Camillo Malacari