Thinking The Puzzle Right Through

This is like one of those puzzles.

How do you get down the slide, avoid Rocky's dad, and Rocky, and get to the lunch box which Barbs has just opened on the tidal flats in the distance...

...before all the food disappears.

?

Arthur and Terence, at the top of the slide, are not thinking the puzzle right through.

They've got FOOD! says Terence.

He slides down the slide, making terrible scratches.

Arthur starts to back down the ladder.

Terence is first to get to the bottom.

Squeeeerrrk!

What the hell did you think you were doing! yells Rocky's dad. Pushing my kid off the slide. He could have got a fracture!

Rocky is sitting in the dirt, clutching his shoulder.

He ... begins Terence.

He is about to blame Rocky.

Luckily, Shu has seen everything, and come over.

I saw everything, says Shu.

So did I, says Rocky's dad. And I've got it on camera. You know this kid?

I do, says Shu. I'm here with his carer. That's him coming down the ladder. He'll be upset.

HE will? says Rocky's dad. And what do you mean, carer?

I probably shouldn't tell you this, says Shu, but Terence is poorly.

Rocky's dad stares hard at Terence.

Arthur has now reached the bottom.

I've just been telling this gentleman that Terence is poorly, says Shu.

Yes, says Arthur. Very poorly. He hasn't got too long to live.

Terence tries to process this new information.

Aww, says Rock'y dad, disarmed, (as you would be). What's he got? Cancer? Leukemia?

Scab, says Arthur. It's a type of cement-related cancer.

Jesus! says Rocky's dad. He's a brave little bugger to go up that giant slide.

Yes, he is, says Arthur. This is his Make-A-Wish. A visit to the playground, and a walk through the mangroves.

And a picnic, says Terence. But now I don't feel like a picnic.

What a shame, says Rocky's dad. I guess we should all count our blessings.

Rocky, who is worried he might have a fracture, looks disgusted.

Terence, who has not long to live, looks worried as well.

But the first part of the puzzle is solved.

Arthur, Shu and Terence proceed to the tidal flats, arriving in time for the picnic.