Evolutionary Difference

Are you sure you don't want to come with me? says Katherine.

Very sure, says Gaius. When will you be back?

Later, says Katherine. Come on, Terence. Got your potato?

Yes, says Terence.

She helps Terence into the back of her car.

The potato sits on the seat beside him.

Off we go, says Katherine.

A seagull watches them go.

........

Two rednecked avocets are searching for aquatic insects.

The seagull drops down.

He's gone, says the seagull.

Thanks for the heads up, says one.

Swaaw! laughs the seagull. More like, Beaks up!

The avocets snort. Their beaks curve upwards. It's a joke they are used to.

.......

What a beautiful morning, says Katherine. The Coorong looks so serene. The lagoons, the dunes, the low vegetation, the birds, the long beach. Did you know, Terence, this is Australia's longest beach.

Terence is looking at his potato.

Did you know that, potato?

The potato mouths: O.

And yet, continues Katherine, paradoxically it has no official name.

Do I have an official name? asks Terence.

Good question, says Katherine. But what is an official name anyway?

Does my potato? asks Terence.

Carisma, says Katherine.

.......

At last they arrive at Margaret and Ludwig's campsite.

The tent is there, and the cool bag, and Katherine's novel.

Also the bag of Carisma potatoes, somewhat depleted.

But not Margaret and Ludwig.

Terence sits down on a towel.

They must have gone off to do some geology, says Katherine. I'll just sit here and read in the shade. Have they left us some water? O yes, good. We have everything we need.

Terence idly empties the bag of potatoes onto the beach towel.

He places his red parrot potato in the middle.

These are your friends, says Terence.

But they are not his friends.

There is a huge evolutionary difference between him and a bunch of uncooked Carisma potatoes.

They don't interact, and it's BORING.

Terence wanders off to look for red necked avocets.

Don't go too far! says Katherine.

Terence remembers the Ranger and his smartness.

Follow the footprints.

There are two sets of footprints.

He follows them.

After ages and ages he comes across Margaret and Wittgenstein.

Wittgenstein is chipping at limestone.

Their backs are to him. They are talking.

Margaret is saying: Ludwig! That's a rare cockle!