Wednesday, March 27, 2024

Fifteen Remember

 Arthur and Nerida have reached the shore.

They head up the beach to where Katherine is waiting.

Arthur was stung by a poisonous jellyfish, says Nerida. He needs first aid fast.

Katherine looks at Arthur.

How are you feeling?

Not as bad as I hoped, says Arthur.

Funny boy, says Katherine. 

Sit down, says Nerida. I'll tell the life guards.

She goes off before Arthur can tell her not to bother.

Relax, says Katherine. Not everyone dies of these things.

It might have been a false alarm, says Arthur.

Nevertheless, we should get you checked out, says Katherine

Nerida returns with a life guard.

Stung were we? says the life guard. Show me the damage.

Arthur can't, because there's no visible damage. 

Except for a few scabs, which are old.

Shark! cries someone. 

Shit! cries the life guard. It's in the shallows! 

It's there for me, says Arthur. 

You're delirious! says the life guard. I'll call an ambulance.

No he's not delirious, says Nerida. Let me deal with this. Arthur where's your phone?

I've got it, says Katherine. Why do you want it?

Password? says Nerida.

Arthur gives her the password: SWEE3U.

She finds the photo app. and scrolls backwards in time.

When was this bus campaign? asks Nerida.

Last year, says Arthur. But we never got round to doing it.

Oh, says Nerida. But you did take the photo?

Yes, says Arthur. Sweezus took it, it'll be on his phone.

Nerida finds Sweezus's number and texts him. SEND SHARK PHOTO ASAP.

Luckily Sweezus is alert. He is also not busy. He sends it.

THX, replies Nerida.

She googles Adelaide Metro images, and locates a shot of the back of a bus

She then photoshops the smiling picture of Speedy and Great White Teacher onto it.

( If this sounds too hard, she is fifteen remember ).

Sorted, says Nerida.

She runs down to the shallows with the phone.

Speedy is waiting. Everyone else has got out of the water.

See! says Nerida. Looks great, doesn't it? 

Speedy can see that it does. He has good news to tell Great White Teacher.

He turns and zooms off.

He stops, turns again, comes back to Nerida.

How's Arthur?

He might have been faking, says Nerida. He seems quite okay.

Tell him I respect that, says Speedy.

And with a flick of his tail, he's away.


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