Dark Red And Soft Like A Date

Rocky Point is not far from Nanum.

Rocky Point is good.

Town office, swimming pool, library.

Boat ramp.

Some people are fishing.

Frances is sitting on the sand with Terence and Kobo, eating Wongai plums from a plastic container.

They are looking out for the comb crested jacana.

(Which has left the vicinity).

Gaius and Humboldt wheel their bicycles onto the sand.

Guess wha--h-at! hiccups Terence.

We heard, says Gaius You finished off the noni-juice. And now you have hiccups.

Sorry about that, says Frances. Meant to save you some.

Never mind, says Gaius. Ageless gave it the thumbs down.

How is he? asks Frances.

Poorly, says Humboldt. He sent a note to his cream puff.

Ha-ha...hic!  says Terence. That's you Kobo.

What does it say? asks Kobo.

remember me but o forget my fate, says Gaius, unfolding the note.

Somewhat pretentious, says Kobo. Any commas?

You are hard, says Humboldt. In fact it's clear he adores you.

Adores you, says Terence. Like me. Hiccup.

No one adores you, says Kobo.

Shepherds do, says Terence. The Virgin said. And lettuce. That's weird though.

Lettuce? asks Frances.

O come lettuce, says Terence. You sing it.

Enough of this, says Gaius. Terence is confusing the issue.

The issue being? asks Humboldt.

We have lost the bandy bandies, says Gaius. Terence had made some progress in teaching them to speak. It's a great loss. They would have been useful....

We brought them, says Frances. They're asleep in the bottom of my tote bag. Under the plums. Would you like one?

A plum? Yes, please, says Humboldt. They look nice. I hope they don't taste like cheese and mustard.

These are Wongai plums, says Frances. You have to store them for a few days to let the latex break down because it's toxic. After that the fruit becomes dark red and soft, and tastes like a date.

A date. This reminds Kobo of Pinky. She sighs.

Delicious, says Humboldt, taking another.

This is promising, says Gaius, looking into the tote bag. Parts of the bandy bandies are just visible under the Wongai plum container.

Eat up, says Frances. Then you can have the plastic container for the bandies.

They eat the rest of the plums.

The sun sets, spectacular as ever. Pink and red smears. Orange curdles. Yellow streaks.

Frances leaves them soon after.

Wah! Hic! wails Terence. I'll never see a comb crusted jac...hic..ana.

You might yet, says Gaius. And tonight we plan an adventure. You may come with us if you cheer up.

What? cries Terence. I'm cheered up!

The rescue of Pinky, says Gaius.

Really? says Humboldt. I thought ...

That too, of course, says Gaius.