Terence chooses the car.
He sits in the back seat and Arthur sits in the front, next to Sweezus.
They head off to Waitpinga.
Leaving Gaius in Victor Harbor with Kant.
Shall we set off at once? asks Gaius.
Err, yes, let us set off at once, says Kant.
I heard you say you had never ridden a bicycle, says Gaius.
I did say that, says Kant.
But you think it should be easy, says Gaius.
I do, says Kant.
Well, says Gaius. Confidence is everything. You go in front and I'll follow.
Just for the first bit, says Kant.
Yes just for the first bit, says Gaius. After that, we'll ride in tandem.
And get to know one other, says Kant.
Certainly, says Gaius. I have heard of you, of course.
And I you, says Kant.
He grasps the handlebars of Arthur's hired bike, and lifts one leg over the cross bar.
Foot on pedal, says Gaius. And push off!
Kant follows the instructions. Foot on pedal, push off.
With the other pedal, says Gaius, when nothing happens.
Oh, of course, says Kant. The rational mind sometimes....
Forget the rational mind, says Gaius. Launch yourself forward , and try to keep upright.
Kant launches himself forward. Hurrah!
He moves forward, and keeps upright.
Are you behind me? shouts Kant, not willing to turn round and look.
I am! says Gaius. Well done. You're a natural.
He catches up with Kant.
They are now heading out of Victor Harbor.
We should soon see the Waitpinga turnoff, says Gaius.
I hear it is scenic, says Kant.
Scenic? says Gaius. I suppose so, but that's not why we're going.
I thought it was, says Kant. So why are we going?
To examine the algal bloom that is killing the fish and causing rashes and sore throats in the surfers, says Gaius.
Kant is alarmed.
I see you are alarmed, says Gaius. Didn't Sweezus tell you?
No he didn't, says Kant.
The scallywag, says Gaius. He probably wanted an excuse to come down here and go surfing with Arthur.
In the algal bloom? asks Kant. That sounds risky. And he seems such a sensible young man.
We shall see, says Gaius. I wouldn't put it past the two of them to have planned it.
I must remember to keep well away from the water, says Kant.
I shall be venturing into it, says Gaius. But only far enough to take temperature readings.
Aha, says Kant. So your theory is that the algal bloom is due to warming waters?
Yes, says Gaius. I see you have a scientific mind.
A philosophical mind, says Kant.
Like my friends, Vello and David, says Gaius.
No, not like them, says Kant. We agree on sensation, but disagree on perception and what comes after.
It takes all kinds, says Gaius.
But we can't all be right, says Kant.
Indeed, says Gaius. I for example have had to admit that some of my medical remedies have proved ineffective. But I stand by the cabbage.
The cabbage? asks Kant.
As a poultice, says Gaius. In fact I would have suggested a cabbage poultice to Arthur, but I knew what he'd say.
I tend to stay away from doctors, says Kant.
Gaius nods in agreement.
How pleasant is this conversation!
Particularly without Terence to keep interrupting.