A Hapless Creature

Of course Gaius does not have a waterproof pen.

Nor does Denis.

No, says Denis. I don't have one. What's it for?

To write out Terence's poems, says Gaius. And send them out over the water.

Is that his idea? asks Denis.

I suppose so, says Gaius.

Faith might have one, says Denis.

I'll ask her, says Gaius.

He goes across to Faith's tent.

Hey! says Faith. Heard the latest?

No, says Gaius.

High levels of chlorophyll-a in the upper gulf region, says Faith.

Dear me, says Gaius. What a pity we're leaving.

You're leaving? says Faith.

I've been invited to ride in the Tour Down Under, says Gaius.

Faith looks surprised.

In the People's Challenge? asks Faith.

No the Tour Proper, says Gaius. Team Condor.

Faith looks at his thin hairy legs.

Great! says Faith. So you'll be going home to start training.

Indeed, says Gaius. But first, do you have a waterproof pen?

I work for SARDI, says Faith. Of course I have a waterproof pen.

May I borrow it for a few minutes? asks Gaius. Terence has come up with two poems for the cuttlefish botanists, who seem to have reverted to a more normal life style, or died.

So you'll write the poems out for him, with a waterproof pen? says Faith. And then what?

Cast them upon the waters, says Gaius. It's the least we can do.

May I suggest you don't cast them on the waters, says Faith. Some hapless creature might eat them.

Why did I not think of that? says Gaius. You're right of course. I'll persuade him to recite them.

That would be nice, says Faith. So you won't need my waterproof pen.

No, says Gaius. Thank you, Faith.

He goes back to his site.

Where's the waterproof pen? asks Terence.

Faith suggested it would be better to recite the poems over the water, says Gaius. And I think so too.

Okay, says Terence, but I forget how they go.

I know, says Gaius. But Roo-kai will remember. Where is he?

Looking for molluscs, says Terence. 

Gaius and Terence go down to the water to look for Roo-kai who is looking for molluscs.

There he is, cracking open a shell.

Hello Roo-kai, says Gaius. Do you remember the words of Terence's poems?

Of course I do, says Roo-kai, pronging and swallowing a hapless creature.