The Metaphysics Of Travel

Gaius is on the plane back to Adelaide.

He leans back in his seat, easing his bottom.

How kind of Vello, to pay for his ticket. At least that is what Gaius supposes.

Marx and Sweezus are on the same flight, sitting two seats behind him.

And Pablo Neruda sits alone somewhere down near the back.

He is busy scribbling, in green ink, the following:

.....seated upon the sea

the pelican ponders profound problems

school of sardines

pale autumn fish

the iron plumage takes to the air and cruises the silence in silence...

He wonders if Arthur would like it?

....

Arthur would like it.

But Arthur is not on the plane.

Neither is Surfing-With-Whales. Nor is Terence.

They are hitching a ride on a bus.

One does not do that normally.

........

Vello is getting toey.

Stop fidgeting, says David.

I'm trying to recall something, says Vello. What Gaius said, on the phone.

No doubt something about Tasmania, says David. Or barnacles, or some such.

I don't think so, says Vello. It was more like........it sounded like....... 'booze'.

Good gracious, says David. Perhaps he has a hangover.

It doesn't augur well, says Vello. Particularly in the circumstances.

Ye-e-e-s, says David. Our other problematical team member.

Indeed, says Vello. Who knew?

Richard Dawkins, says David. You would think, wouldn't you, that he'd have.......

......a decent racing bike, says Vello. Not that Oxford donnish contraption.

Richard comes in to the office, with Belle et Bonne.

Talking about my bicycle? he says jauntily.

Ha ha, no, not at all, says David.

I think you were, says Richard. Let me tell you, it's never been beaten.

He just beat me, says Belle et Bonne.

But that isn't hard, dear, says Vello. You don't try.

She was trying, says Richard Dawkins, huffily.

Of course I was, says Belle et Bonne.

She smiles a dazzling smile at Richard Dawkins

.......

The plane lands at Adelaide Airport.

Gaius, Sweezus, Marx and Pablo Neruda get off.

........

Half way to Adelaide, Surfing-With-Whales is asleep on the bus.

Arthur is trying to work out a way to get off the bus without passing the driver, to whom he owes a gratuity.

Terence looks out of the window.

He sees a pink lake, on which gracefully lands a green pelican, with a transparent plastic purse-pouch full of sardines and pale autumn fish.