<div class="floatleft">(https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S8nWEwDHoLo/VuctPJcFklI/AAAAAAAAZzE/LH_CQD1cWsM-36_em_H4CNSfKPtAAs7xg/s1600/tumblr_napkpgrAjV1qb647qo4_1280.jpg)<br/></div><br/>Jim did not make a move to prevent Arlene from jumping onto the boat.  Instead, he accepted her help in raising the ramp.  When the ramp was finally up, he saw that Arlene was trying to speak to him.  It had been so long since he had spoken to anyone that, had he had more time to think about it, he might have disbelieved Arlene's presence.  Indeed, she could have been a fragment of his imagination or the fervent dream resulting from the consumption of river frogs.  But Jim did not have much time left.  The crawlers were coming.<br/><br/>"You... don't have to give me this," Jim said as he looked at the bag of Cheez-Its.  Given his inclination to help everyone he came across, it hurt that Arlene presumed that he wouldn't grant her permission to board without a bribe.  But Jim didn't have time to be upset.  He followed after Arlene and looked over the rail.<br/><br/>"And you need to get out of the water right now," he said to Lucas.   "The crawlers will be here any moment."  He then turned to look at Arlene, and then looked around him in a panic.  Fortunately, time was still with them.  He could not see the crawlers yet. Putting his hand on Arlene's shoulder, he pointed towards the center of the boat.   "Please get up to the top deck.  The stairs are right there."<br/><br/>"Let me help," Jim said while crossing the guardrail and kneeling beside the man in the water.  He extended his hand towards him.