Ha Ha! The Bid To Increase His Own Power

Irma shares out the sultanas.

Nietzsche takes one. Rolls it around in his fingers. Picks it open. Squeezes out the inside.

Don't you like sultanas? asks Irma.

Nietzsche pretends to examine the contents of the sultana.

He doesn't, says Emma. Don't give him another one.

I'll have some, Irma, says Reg.

He takes a big handful and eats them.

That's the end of the short sultana story.

We're now entering the pristine waters of the Coorong National Park, crackles the voice of Captain Bain. We'll be passing spectacular white sand dunes and magnificent bird life. Those of you who have binoculars....

Edith and Lauren come up the steps.

Binoculars anyone? asks Edith.

She has a pair of binoculars, but no takers.

Well all right then, says Edith, I'll use them myself.

Through the binoculars she sees the second pelican of the afternoon. (Nietzsche saw the first one).

Irma, Edith, Reg and Nietzsche can see it as well. But Edith's pelican is bigger.

On the other hand, her pelican shimmers with rainbow edges and is spatially unstable.

This is always the trouble with binoculars.

Emma turns to Nietzsche who is thoughtfully licking his fingers.

What's the best bit of philosophy you ever thought of? asks Emma.

What a good question, says Nietzsche. Probably it would have to be: All human action is motivated by the desire for power.

Even squeezing a sultana? says Emma.

Maybe not that, says Nietzsche.

Mrs Bottle says..... begins Emma.

Nietzsche has no wish to hear another of the gender based critcisms of Mrs Bottle.

He starts humming. Hmm. Hmm. Hmm. Diddly-hmm.

Emma continues.

Mrs Bottle says if you want to understand a philosopher, first find out what he's afraid of.

What HE'S afraid of! snorts Nietzsche.

What are you afraid of? asks Emma.

What does the redoubtable Mrs Bottle think I'm afraid of? asks Nietzsche.

At least this conversation is better than listening to Captain Bain.

Captain Bain is now crackling on about the early cockling industry. Lord save us.

She says you're afraid of looking weak, says Emma. She says you're scared of women. And you can't make friends easily so you.....

That's enough, says Nietzsche. Your Mrs Bottle has just affirmed my best bit of philosophy.

How? says Emma.

By trying to undermine me in a bid to increase her own power, says Nietzsche.

Ha ha, laughs Edith who has put down her binoculars and is gazing at a less shimmery pelican (or wait, is it an ibis?).

Ha ha! One, Nitcher; nil, Mrs Bottle.