Intervention

 De Freycinet has landed the dinghy, with the aid of his friends.

Come in and rest your old claws, says Baudin.

Thank you, I will, says de Freycinet.

Baudin, de Freycinet and Ageless climb up the rocks to the lighthouse.

Baudin opens a can of sardines. 

Meanwhile Gaius and Terence are walking along the trail to the lighthouse.

And, says Terence, there were millions and millions of of parrots.

On the palace? asks Gaius.

Yes, says Terence. 

Hundreds, surely, says Gaius. 

Maybe not THAT many, says Terence.

Did you make friends with them? asks Gaius.

No, says Terence. They were friends with Saint Joseph. They sat on his things.

Annoying, says Gaius. 

That's not what he said, says Terence.

They have now arrived at the front door of the lighthouse.

Gaius knocks on the door.

Baudin opens.

Come in! says Baudin. De Freycinet's here. He's brought back my dinghy.

We know, says Gaius. We thought we'd walk back with him.

Very kind, says Baudin. I had offered to row him.

Stupid, whispers Terence.

I heard that, says Baudin. It's not stupid. It's good manners.

Do I smell sardines? asks Gaius.

Yes, says Baudin. I've just opened a can. Are you hungry?

I would welcome a sardine or two, says Gaius.

They all go inside.

Any news of the botanists? asks Baudin.

They've gone hunting for their dinner, says Gaius. They hadn't eaten a thing since they hatched.

Without their Nachoos, says Terence. And they might never come back.

They'll come back for their Nachoos, says Baudin.

Terence looks hopeful. 

Then less hopeful. 

How does he know?

Good sailors don't abandon their vessels, says Baudin.

Ha ha! laughs de Freycinet. Sometimes they do.

Terence looks at Ageless, who is eating the final sardine.

What? asks Ageless. 

Do you think they'll come back? asks Terence.

They'll be weighing up their options, says Ageless.

True, says Gaius. Was that the last sardine?

I'll open another can, says Baudin.

What does that mean? asks Terence.

I'll need to do some more shopping, says Baudin.

I meant weighing up their options, says Terence.

Choosing the best course of action, says Ageless. 

What if...? begins Terence.

Lobster Guy will intervene, says Ageless.