Offensive to Everyone

It's a three hour flight to Cairns, non-stop on Jetstar.

A doddle.

Gaius examines his pencils.

A thought strikes him. Where is his Swiss army knife? He could use it to sharpen the broken one.

What are you looking for? asks Humboldt.

Swiss army knife, says Gaius.

Confiscated, says Humboldt. Didn't you see what happened?

No, says Gaius. I was busy explaining the presence of Ageless lobster.

They let him through, says Humboldt. How did you explain it?

Research, says Gaius. I explained the nature of our research into the new species of bandy bandy, and how Ageless had demonstrated an invaluable knowledge of their habits.

Not of the new species! How could he? asks Humboldt.

The Jetstar official did not ask that question, says Gaius. She simply believed me. So I was not obliged to resort to Plan B.

Which was? asks Humboldt.

To claim the lobster was our dinner, says Gaius. Of course that would have resulted in an unpleasant incident with the Swiss army knife, which unknown to me had been confiscated, says Gaius.

Humboldt sees multiple problems. His brow wrinkles.

Are you saying you would have knifed the lobster?
Ageless lobster, your friend?
Should he not have remained alive, until our arrival?
It's a long time till dinner.

Do you not recognise a jest when you hear one? says Gaius.

Oh a jest! Ha ha. Got me, says Humboldt. You are in a good mood.

I am, says Gaius. I was just thinking how pleasant it is to have a companion who is on the same wavelength.

Errh, yes , says Humboldt. But I failed to pick up on your jest.

Never mind, says Gaius. I hope Ageless lobster failed to pick up on it also.

He need not have worried.

Ageless lobster is laughing at his own jest. Heh heh!

The jest has not been at all well received by Kobo or Pinky.

It is this, (to go back to when Ageless said it) :

Terence, Kobo and Pinky are sharing a seat by the window. Ageless is idly staring across at his beloved.

How wondrously creamy she is,,,,, and that little dimple,,,,,crik crik,,,,,,,,,,

What are they talking about?

Pinky is recalling her manufacture. All those spinning hands. The dipping and cleaning. The baking. The peeling. The final spin through the brushes to roll up her cuff.

Becoming excited she jumps into Terence's lap.

Waving her little pink fingers.

Heh heh! laughs Ageless.

Whats funny, parrot? asks Terence.

You've got five little willies, says Ageless.

Ageless, says Kobo. You have just been offensive to EVERYONE!

But Ageless can't see it.