Who Superman Is A Clue For

The Catcher is filled with great confidence.

That's why he can talk.

Which will be helpful.

Right! says Terence. That does it! You go on a lead!

You don't have one, says Shu.

It's true, he doesn't. Terence changes tack.

Let's go back to the others, says Terence. Let's show them what you did.

How? asks the Catcher. I ate the whole Rock Parrot. Ooh! I feel sick.

He vomits up a few yellow feathers, and several white bones and red sinews.

That would have been my new parrot, says Terence sadly.

Well, there it is, says the Catcher.

It's dead, says Terence. I've had dead ones before. They're nothing but trouble. Now I've got nothing.

But trouble, says the Catcher.

What? says Terence.

He doesn't get it, but Shu can see that the Catcher is smart.

He means that he represents trouble, says Shu. You ought to like that.

I would like that, says Terence. IF he hadn't eaten my pet!

The Catcher vomits up a bit more of the ex-potential ex-pet.

Look, says Shu, this can't be easy for anyone. Shall we let it go now? Give me your hand.

He takes Terence's hand gently. Ouch. It's the claw one.

Sorry, says Terence.

He and Shu walk back to the others, trailed by the Catcher, who has nowhere else to go.

Any luck? asks Belle.

Terence doesn't answer.

Did Catcher find something to eat? asks Belle.

Shu raises an eyebrow.

The question is closed.

Everyone piles into the camper.

Sweezus is sitting in the front next to Midge who is driving.

You're very quiet, says Midge.

Actually, everyone is quiet.

Barbs is watching Arthur pick dried clay platelets from his legs.

As he does so his scratches start bleeding.

Belle is comforting Terence.

There there, never mind. Have a dried cranberry.

The Catcher is feeling nauseous, but doesn't want to disgrace himself by throwing up in the van.

Shu is watching the drab scenery and remembering the words of Du Fu:

I have come three thousand miles. Sad now with autumn......

But Midge has asked Sweezus particularly.

Yeah, says Sweezus. You'd be quiet if you had to meet Superman.

That's ridiculous, says Midge. There's no such person.

Oh! says Belle. I was thinking, it might not be Superman. It could've been a clue. What did dad say exactly?

Shit yeah! He said it was a clue! says Sweezus.

Right! I know who it'll be then, says Belle.

Everyone in the van tries to guess who Belle thinks Superman is a clue for........