High Price For A Parrot

Gaius has eaten the cake. 

It was a small cake, and he is still hungry.

He thinks about having some crackers, with apricot jam.

But no, he decides to eat an apple.

When are we going? asks Terence.

As soon as Surfing-with-Whales gets back, says Gaius.

Can we have your apple core? asks Terence.

Certainly, says Gaius. 

He finishes the apple and gives Terence the core.

Can we get in the pullalong? asks Terence.

Yes, I'll lift you in, says Gaius. It's my turn to pull you.

He lifts Terence in.

Little Mystic takes a run-up, flaps his wings and gets in on his own.

Well done! says Gaius.

Can we go now? asks Terence.

I'd like to, says Gaius. It's slow going with the pullalong. And Surfing-with-Whales will know where we've gone. But we ought not to leave his back pack unattended

I'll wait here for him if you like, says Roo-kai.

Thank you, says Gaius. I could send him a text.

No, says Roo-kai. I'll wait here and take care of his things. We'll meet up in Zeehan.

Gaius picks up his back pack, mounts his bike, and heads for the Murchison Highway.

Roo-kai stays behind, waiting for Surfing-with-Whales.

There is a blanket strapped onto the back pack.

And a phone ringing inside.

In the pullalong, Terence and Little Mystic are hatching a plan.

A plan involving the apple core.

And an unsuspecting parrot.

We'll have a parrot gang, says Terence. 

He-he! laughs Little Mystic. 

Terence has stuck the apple core on his claw. 

He is extending it over the side of the pullalong.

Which is dangerous.

And hasn't attracted a parrot.

A car overtakes them and pulls up at the side of the road.

Gaius stops, because the driver has got out of his car and is waving him down.

Terence withdraws the applecore.

Hello mate, says the driver to Gaius. Do you know what your kid's been doing?

No, says Gaius I've been concentrating on the road. What's he been doing?

Waving an apple core over the side of the pullalong, says the driver.

Dear me, says Gaius. He'll be trying to attract a parrot.

He could lose an arm, says the driver.

Indeed, says Gaius. High price for a parrot.

Yeah well, says the driver. Just thought you should know.

I appreciate your concern, says Gaius. Thank you. Are you going to Zeehan?

Yep, says the driver. Zeehan, the Silver City. You?

Stopping there, says Gaius. Then pressing on.

Might see you, says the driver. 

He gets back in his car and drives off.

Now what? says Terence.

Do you really need another parrot? asks Gaius.

Yes, says Terence. We're forming a parrot gang.

One minute, says Gaius. Then we're moving on, and I'm taking the apple core.

Terence waves the apple core.

No parrots are attracted.

But one ot two are observing.