Guybrush and Elaine were down in the cargo bay, sitting next to each other up against one wall, still handcuffed.
Thirty minutes had passed, most of it in silence. It was the longest, most hopeless half-hour Guybrush could remember.
Now, finally, Wally was coming back down the ladder. His hands were empty.
Elaine and Guybrush stayed where they were. But Wally didn't come over and talk to them. Instead, he crossed the room, placed both hands on one of the portal stones, and ran them over the surface.
"Wally?" said Guybrush. "What-"
Now Wally stepped back and came toward them. His hands, held outward toward Guybrush, were covered in red dust from the portal stone.
"I've got an idea, Mr. Brush," said Wally. He knelt down between them, and ran his dust-covered hands over the handcuff chain. "Hold still, both of you." His fingers moved slowly and carefully, covering every inch of the chain. When this was done to his satisfaction, he started to rub the dust onto the cuffs. "This bit is a bit tricky. Don't want to get any of this on your hands."
Two minutes later, the job was done. Wally stood up, brushing his hands together. He wiped them on a cloth.
"Now what?" said Guybrush.
In answer, Wally unholstered his blaster, took careful aim, and fired.
The energy bolt struck the handcuff chain, and vanished into the dust. Guybrush and Elaine watched, and a faint light appeared. It grew in intensity, as a red wire running the length of the handcuff chain and along both cuffs. Then it was the brightest thing in the room. Elaine and Guybrush had to shut their eyes.
The silence was almost total. After a few seconds Guybrush started to feel a bit stupid. He opened one eye, then opened both. The red glow was gone. And so, when he glanced down at his arm, were the handcuffs.
Elaine lifted her arm up wonderingly and massaged the wrist.
"You're a lifesaver, Wally," said Guybrush fervently. "How on earth did you think of that?"
He stood up, and Elaine did likewise. "Well, ... Elaine, you're free," said Guybrush. "Relatively speaking."
"Thank you, Wally," said Elaine. To Guybrush, she said, "Yes. Relatively speaking. And now, if you don't mind, I'd like to get some sleep."
Guybrush glanced up at the digital clock near the ceiling. Ten-twenty, and yes, he felt a bit tired too. "If you must," he said. "Take the couch up on the second level for now. We'll work out a more permanent arrangement tomorrow.
"And who knows?" added Guybrush, looking at Wally and Elaine. "A sleep might get us all feeling better. Maybe it won't seem so bad in the morning."
Elaine looked at him witheringly; Wally ignored him. They both climbed up the ladder and out of the hold.
Guybrush took one last look at the two portal stones. It was really incomprehensible. Because of these things, they were clear on the other side of the galaxy. Trapped, with a third crew member, one who looked like being very hard to live with...
Without another word to Wally or Elaine, Guybrush climbed the ladder, entered his room, and fell asleep on the bed.