Flippering Past

Why do you want a clipboard? asks Gaius.

To prove things, says Terence.

Such as? asks Gaius.

Surfing-with-Whales saw two skates, then he said he didn't, says Terence.

Maybe that means he didn't, says Gaius.

BUT, says Terence, I'd have written it down on my clipboard.

Indeed, says Gaius. However I don't have a clipboasrd. If I had one, I'd have used it as a surface to cut up the cabbage.

Lucky me, says Terence.

Why so? asks Gaius.

That would've ruined my clipboard, says Terence.

Surfing-with-Whales and Roo-kai have come back to the camp site.

What did you think of the water? asks Gaius.

I reckon I'll need goggles and flippers, says Surfing-with-Whales. And a waterproof clipboard.

You too? says Gaius. 

When I see any bottom-dwelling crabs, says Surfing-with-Whales. I'll show them the clipboard.

Instead of talking, says Roo-kai.

Bottom-dwelling crabs won't make head nor tail of your clipboard, says Gaius.

Yeah, but I was thinking of a picture, says Surfing-with-Whales. So they know what I'm looking for.

Put yourself in their place, says Gaius.

He's going to, says Terence.

I mean, see it their way, says Gaius. Someone comes goggling and flippering past with a picture of a maugean skate, their number one predator. Are they likely to point you in the right direction?

Good point, says Surfing-with-Whales.

He tries to put himself in the bottom-dwellers' position.

Probably depends what they think I'm gonna do when I find one.

I know! says Terence. A skull and cross bones! I'll do the drawing! 

Awesome, says Surfing-with-Whales. We'll head into Strahan tomorrow and buy everything. That's if Gaius agrees.

I don't need to agree, says Gaius. This is your hare-brained scheme.

Okay, but I thought... begins Surfing-with-Whales.

Think again, says Gaius.