Bottom Dwellers

So are we camping here? asks Surfing-with-Whales.

Why not? says Gaius. It's near the water, and it's not a long walk to the shops.

Where you bought the cabbage, says Surfing-with-Whales.

Indeed, says Gaius.

Anything else? asks Surfing-with-Whales.

No. I thought we'd dine on the rest of the cabbage, says Gaius.

Great, says Surfing-with-Whales. I might eat mum's cheese after all.

A welcome addition, says Gaius.

Surfing-with-Whales has remained on the grass with his foot up.

It feels better already.

Here are my notes, says Gaius. I'll shred the cabbage while you peruse them.

What can I do? asks Terence.

Look for a knife, says Gaius. No, on second thoughts, don't do that. I'll find one. Sit beside Surfing-with-Whales and listen.

Listen to what? asks Terence.

If you ask him to read the notes out loud, I'm sure he will do it, says Gaius. 

Okay, says Surfing-with-Whales. I'll do it.

I haven't asked you, says Terence.

Do you want me to? asks Surfing-with-Whales.

Yes, says Terence.

He sits down next to Surfing-with-Whales, who starts reading:

Maugean skates mostly live in brackish water about 5 to 15 metres deep, feeding on bottom dwelling crabs....

Ha ha! laughs Terence. 

What's so funny? asks Surfing-with-Whales.

Everything, says Terence. 

The word bottom, says Gaius, in this case, means the bottom of the harbour, which is where the crabs live. Hence bottom dwelling.

Not people's bottoms, says Terence.

No, says Gaius.

Surfing-with-Whales continues reading: Maugean skates live only in Macquarie Harbour, and are heading for extinction. Forty seven percent of the population was wiped out in 2019. Shizz!

Shizz? says Gaius. 

He is still looking for a knife but is listening.

Sheeez! says Surfing-with-Whales. How'd they even know that? And how come?

Salmon farming, says Gaius. Fish food and faeces sink to the bottom and decompose, thus further depleting already low oxygen levels.

Oh, yeah, says Surfing-with-Whales. It says all that here.

Yes it does, says Gaius. You'll find my notes comprehensive.

Super comprehensive, says Surfing-with-Whales.  There's even stuff about fried carrot cake.

Is there? asks Gaius. Sometimes extraneous things do slip in.

Is it gonna be a cole slaw? asks Surfing-with-Whales.

What? asks Gaius.

Dinner, says Surfing-with-Whales.

A very plain cole slaw, says Gaius. You'll have to imagine the carrot.