False Starts And Finishes

Are we done now? asks Gaius.

No, says Terence. We have to march off.

Go on then, says Gaius.

Terence and Denis march off, followed by Ageless.

Gaius brings up the rear, filming the marchers.

Roo-kai flies beside him.

That went well, says Roo-kai.

Thanks to you, says Gaius.

I have an ear for poetry, says Roo-kai. 

Even Terence's, says Gaius.

Even Terence's, says Roo-kai.

Will you be coming back to Adelaide with us? asks Gaius.

When are you going? asks Roo-kai.

Today, says Gaius. 

Don't forget to dig up the Nachoos, says Roo-kai.

Yes, thanks for reminding me, says Gaius.

They have now reached the campsite.

Terence is telling Faith about what they've just done.

I'd like to see the video, says Faith.

Show her, says Terence.

It needs editing, says Gaius. There were several false starts.

Never mind, says Faith. I need to go to work soon. Just show me.

Gaius shows her.

Wow! says Faith. What a great send-off for the botomists. But surely you aren't intending to leave the Nachoos buried there?

No, says Terence. We're digging them up in half an hour.

Good plan, says Faith. Well I'm off now. Got to check on the cytobot data.

Farewell, then, says Gaius. We may be gone before you return.

Good luck with the Tour Down Under, says Faith. And you too, Denis.

I may not be in it, says Denis. I've not yet been asked.

I meant with your relationship, says Faith. 

Oh that, says Denis. 

Send her the video, says Faith. She'll see you at your best. Marching in that dignified manner.

Hmm, says Denis.

And have a good Christmas, Terence, says Faith. Are you expecting a visit from Santa?

WHAT? says Terence.

We don't really do Christmas, says Gaius.

I DO! says Terence.

Sorry, says Faith. Should have kept my mouth shut.

Never mind, says Gaius. It's just that he always asks for a horse.

I know the problem, says Faith.

She leaves without explaining how she knows.

Is it half an hour yet? asks Terence.

Not yet, says Gaius. We have time to do some packing.

Can I go and wait there? asks Terence.

I'll go with you, says Roo-kai.

He and Terence go back to the place on the beach where they buried the Nachoos.

But OH NO!

The tide has come in. Two sprigs of saltbush are afloat on the water.

Leaving nothing to mark the burial spots of the Nachoos.