Don't Sweat

Terence goes across to tell Gaius and Denis his poems.

They both like them a lot.

Mind if I quote them to Henriette? asks Denis.

Yes, says Terence.

Has she replied yet? asks Gaius.

A smiley face, says Denis. 

So she wasn't offended, says Gaius.

I assume not, says Denis.

Gaius's phone rings. Riddley ring!

It's Sweezus.

Hello Sweezus, says Gaius. 

Hey, says Sweezus. How's everything going?

Very well, says Gaius. No toxic algae has been detected at Point Lowly. The cuttlefish eggs have hatched successfully. Terence established a relationship with two of the newly hatched cuttlefish. But they're gone now.

Gone? says Sweezus.

That's the best way to put it, says Gaius. Ageless reported them dead, and Roo-kai saw them alive, afterwards.

Shizz, says Sweezus. Schroedinger's cuttlies.

Ha ha, laughs Gaius. Hardly.

Yeah, they're like, dead and alive at the same time, says Sweezus.

But you learn which when you open the box, says Gaius. 

Are they in a box? asks Sweezus.

No, out in the ocean, says Gaius. So we'll never know.

Is Terence upset? asks Sweezus.

Why don't you ask him? says Gaius.

He hands Terence the phone.

It's Sweezus. He wants to say hello, says Gaius.

Terence takes the phone.

Guess what? says Terence.

What, little buddy? asks Sweezus.

I made up two poems, says Terence.

For two different scenarios, says Sweezus.

For the botomists, says Terence. 

I thought they were cuttlefish, says Sweezus.

Yes, they are, says Terence. But they might be dead now.

I heard, says Sweezus. Are you okay with it?

Me? says Terence.

Tell me the poems, says Sweezus.

Terence tries to tell him but can't remember the words exactly.

Yeah, says Sweezus. Yeah well, sounds like they might still be alive, if Roo-kai said so.

Hunting, says Terence.

Yeah, for whatever, says Sweezus. Prawns and crabs and that.

Then my other poem is useless, says Terence.

Don't sweat, says Sweezus. You can keep it for later.

When they do die, says Terence.

Yeah, says Sweezus. Feel better?

Terence would feel better, but he hadn't felt bad in the first place.