Sticky Beak

Late afternoon. Roderick arrives in his truck.

They load the boxes of Croc flip flops into the back.

These will be good, says Roderick. I can use them for edging.

Edging? says Gaius.

Edging, says Roderick. Everyone ready? I've got bait, nets and torches.

I've got a POT! says Terence.

Good boy, says Roderick. We can put the catch in it.

Can I have my own torch? asks Terence.

Yep, says Roderick. Is that parrot coming?

Terence had forgotten his parrot.

Where is she?

She is talking to Humboldt.

Looks like you're off, says Humboldt.

So I am, says Celia. She hops onto Terence's shoulder.

I'm getting a torch, says Terence.

Don't drop it, says Celia.

I haven't got it, says Terence.

Just remember, says Celia.

Sweezus is ready to go.

Wanna come Arthur?

No thanks, says Arthur. Got something to do.

That's not like you bro, thinks Sweezus. Then he thinks further.

Once, Arthur gave him a present.

A yellow emu leather bracelet, with studs. He still has it.

And tomorrow is his putative birthday.

No way, Arthur!

But he need not worry.

It's simply that Arthur doesn't want to go prawning.

The prawners set off in Roderick's truck in the direction of Pennefather River.

Brmm-brmm, red dust, brmm, scenery, brmm, more red dust, mainly behind them.

Did anyone think to bring any food? asks Gaius.

Yep, says Roderick Coconut. I brought donuts.

Gaius and Sweezus are not entirely averse to donuts.

And water, says Roderick.

At least someone is providential.

Terence is nursing his pot, which is half Sweezus's and half Gaius's. (But the rest of it is his).

By evening they reach the south bank of the Pennefather.

Roderick lays bait in the shallow water.

Nearby, Terence plonks down his pot.

A large Cherabin prawn with a hunched back, large legs and a determined disposition slides up to it.......and stops for a sticky-beak.