The Red Sling

Perhaps it was a bad idea to give Terence two things to do.

He has copied the map on Gaius's phone onto the paper.

It's basically just a straight line.

Adelaide to Kroombit Tops as the crow flies.

Terence admires his straight line.

But it needs to have arrows. 

He draws an arrow point, at the Kroombit Tops end of the line.

Bumhole! 

That's not where he should have drawn the arrow. 

He decides to stop doing the map and look at Gaius's notes on the maugean skate.

Especially the pictures.

The maugean skate looks like a wide paper jet with eyes and tail ribbons.

It's pointy nose looks like the head of an arrow.

Terence has an idea.

If he turns his map into a picture of a maugean skate, the arrow will be in the right place after all.

He draws wide paper jet wings on the map route.

And eyes and tail ribbons. The arrow nose is there already.

And sharp blades which you could see if the maugean skate was see-through.

Rookai comes over.

How's it going? Is that our map?

It was, says Terence. But I made it into a maugean skate because of this arrow.

We can get around it, says Rookai. 

The tinker comes over.

That doesn't look like a map, says the tinker.

It's a skate, says Terence. The map's inside it.

Where are the places we're stopping? asks the tinker.

You and I will mark them in, says Rookai.

I was going to do it, says Terence.

You'd be better occupied finding us some sort of sling, says Rookai. So I can comfortably carry the tinker.

Yay! This was the job Terence wanted to do in the first place.

What to use for a sling?

Gaius will have something.

But Gaius is on the phone to Arthur.

Terence goes into the pantry.

And sees an orange bag made of red plastic netting, with one orange inside.

He wonders if Gaius would like an orange.

Gaius is still talking.

Yes Arthur, but surely ....

Terence takes out the orange, and puts it in the box with the potatoes.

Now the red netting orange bag is free to turn into a sling.

His Smiling Mouth

Gaius unlocks his front door and goes in.

He walks down the passage to the kitchen. 

He places the Kroombit tinker on the kitchen table.

Is Ouvert here? asks Baby Pierre.

Go and see, says Gaius. And Terence, go into the back garden and signal Rookai.

Terence goes into the back garden.

What was the signal?

Rookai flies down from the apricot tree. 

I got here early, says Roo-kai. In case you'd forgotten the signal.

I hadn't, says Terence. 

They both go inside.

The tinker is sitting beside a white sheet of paper.

You must be Rookai, says the tinker.

And you must be the Kroombit tinker, says Rookai. Is that for a map?

No, says the tinker. It's for Baby Pierre's story. I promised to help him re-write it.

I thought we were leaving, says Rookai.

He's already written it, says the tinker. But Border Force confiscated it. We just have to remember.

Ah, says Rookai. So where's Baby Pierre?

Baby Pierre is on the window sill telling Ouvert that he has written a story about the two of them.

What for? asks Ouvert.

I was cycling across the Nullarbor and I met you, says Baby Pierre. You were a rock collector. 

I wasn't, says Ouvert. I've been here all the time.

It might not have been you, says Baby Pierre. And anyway it was a story. It wasn't really me either. If I had the story I'd show it to you but I lost it.

Ouvert smirks with his smiling mouth, keeping his second mouth straight.

Gaius comes out of his bedroom, with his notes on the maugean skate.

Look through these, Terence, says Gaius. Pay special attention to the pictures.

What about Rookai's map? asks Terence. 

I'm not sure he needs a map, says Gaius. 

The map is for the benefit of the tinker, says Rookai. She can follow it and anticipate the stops we'll be making.

I'd like that, says the tinker.

All right says Gaius. I'll call up a map on my phone and Terence can copy it onto this piece of paper.

Terence is pleased to have two things to do.

Sharp Blades Underneath

The bus rumbles away from the airport and heads for the city.

The tinker leaves Baby Pierre on the front seat and returns to where Gaius is sitting.

About this Rookai, says the tinker.

Yes? says Gaius.

Did you say he'd FLY me back to Kroombit Tops? asks the tinker.

It will be perfectly safe, says Gaius. He'll make frequent stops.

Will I have some input? asks the tinker.

I shall provide you with a map before you set out, says Gaius, so that you and Rookai can plan your journey.

Sounds good, says the tinker. But one other thing...

Yes, what is it? asks Gaius. 

Will he carry me in his beak? asks the tinker. 

I doubt it, says Gaius. It's a long way, and furthermore it would render him speechless.

Good, says the tinker. Because in his beak I would look like his prey.

Terence has been looking out of the window at passing vehicles, but has been listening.

Your legs would be dangling, says Terence. 

I know, says the tinker. Like I was swimming.

No one swims with their head in a beak, says Terence. 

My head wouldn't be in his beak, says the tinker. 

Of course it wouldn't, says Gaius. We'll help you rig up something.

Can I do it? asks Terence.

You can help, says Gaius. But you will be busy getting ready for Tasmania.

Busy? says Terence. Doing what?

Learning a few facts about maugean skates, says Gaius. How to identify them and so on. 

I already know, says Terence. They have wheels underneath.

They do not, says Gaius. I shall lend you my notes when we're home. There are pictures.

The bus stops in the city.

They change buses.

This bus is full.

Baby Pierre has to sit with Terence.

What do skates look like? asks Terence.

Shoes, says Baby Pierre.

I know that, says Terence, but what's underneath them?

Wheels, says Baby Pierre. Or sometimes sharp blades.

How come you're so smart? says Terence.

I ask questions, says Baby Pierre.

So do I, says Terence.

So now you know, says Baby Pierre.

Yes! Maugean skates must have sharp blades underneath them. 

Now Terence knows.

 

Stopped From Moving

Since when are we going to Tasmania? asks the tinker.

I am. You're not, says Gaius. I've made some arrangements.

Guess what they are, says Terence.

What? asks the tinker.

Rookai will be flying you back to Kroombit Tops, says Gaius. 

Who's Rookai? asks the tinker.

My parrot, says Terence.

Don't parrots eat frogs? asks the tinker.

No, says Gaius. They prefer fruit, seeds, nuts and flowers.

But Rookai eats molluscs, says Terence.

Funny sort of parrot, says the tinker.

He's an oystercatcher, says Baby Pierre. His hero is Saint Roley.

The one who lost his brother? asks the tinker.

You know about that? asks Gaius.

It was in Baby Pierre's story, says the tinker.

Just a throwaway line, says Baby Pierre.

Nevertheless, it's a point of connection, says Gaius. You should get on well with Rookai.

They are now at the airport bus stop. 

We'll catch the bus back to my house, and wait for Roo kai, says Gaius.

Not me, says Baby Pierre. I have to go back and rescue my story.

Too dangerous, says Gaius. I'm sure they'll send it on to me when they realise it's nonsense.

Nonsense? says Baby Pierre.

From their perspective, says Gaius. Aha! Here's the bus now.  

He helps the tinker get on. 

Baby Pierre is about to zoom off again.

No you don't, says Terence. He puts his foot down.

Crunch!

My bicycle! says Baby Pierre.

Sorry, says Terence. I just meant to stop you from moving.

You have stopped me from moving, says Baby Pierre.

Perhaps it's for the best, says Gaius. 

He picks up Baby Pierre and the bicycle parts, including the o-wheels.

And gets on the bus.

Baby Pierre sits on the small seat at the front.

He is sulking.

His bicycle is broken thanks to Terence.

His story is gone.

The tinker hops up beside him.

Are you sulking? asks the tinker.

No, says Baby Pierre. I'm regretting.

That's fair, says the Kroombit tinker. 

They are silent while Baby Pierre does some regretting.

That he didn't grab his story before zooming off.

That he didn't get on the bus before Terence.

I remember your story, says the tinker. If you like I'll help you rewrite it before I head off with Rookai.

A kind offer. 

Baby Pierre already feels somewhat better.

Don't Leave The Country

Gaius and Terence are waiting at International Arrivals.

Most of the passengers from Changi have already come out.

They're not coming! says Terence.

Patience! says Gaius. They're probably being held up by Border Force officials.

What will they do? asks Terence.

Deliver them to me, eventually, says Gaius. But perhaps I should make some enquiries.

He is just wondering where to go to make his enquiries when Terence shouts:

Yay! They're coming!

Baby Pierre zooms towards Terence and skids to a stop.

He is followed, seconds later, by the Kroombit tinker.

Get us out of here! says the tinker.

Is someone after you? asks Terence.

They might be, says Baby Pierre. We've escaped.

This won't do, says Gaius. There are certain procedures to be followed.

We're not going back, says Baby Pierre. 

No we're not, says the tinker. Although you did leave your story behind with the Border Force person.

My story! says Baby Pierre. 

What story? asks Terence.

I wrote a story about how I cycled across the Nullarbor says Baby Pierre. It was a good story.

Was it true? asks Terence. 

It would have been, says Baby Pierre.

Meaning yes? asks Terence.

If I'd actually done it, says Baby Pierre. 

Woop, says Terence.

I wanted to show it to Ouvert, says Baby Pierre. He's in it.

Does he say everything twice? asks Terence.

No, says Baby Pierre. It might not be him. That's part of the story. 

But that means... begins Terence

Enough! says Gaius. You two stay here with Terence while I make some enquiries.

But he doesn't need to.

Two Border Force officers are bearing down on them.

Gaius Plinius Secundus? asks one of the officers.

That is me, says Gaius. Or should I say I am he?

As long as you admit you're the person in question, says the Border Force officer.

I do, says Gaius. And I'm pleased to meet you. I assume there are papers to sign. 

The second Border Force officer whips out some papers.

Gaius takes them.

On the first page is a photo of the Kroombit tinker, a brief description, and a dotted line.

Sign here, says the Border Force officer.

Gaius signs. May we go now?

Unfortunately, no, says the second Border Force Officer. First we need an explanation for these coded writings.

He shows Gaius Baby Pierre's story.

That will be Baby Pierre's story, says Gaius. No doubt harmless. 

We are confiscating it, says the Border Force officer. Please sign this confiscation notice.

What a performance, says Gaius. All right.

He signs.

You're all free to go, says the Border Force Officer. But don't leave the country.

I presume that doesn't prohibit Tasmania? asks Gaius. Because that's where I'm going.

What? says the tinker.

Small Room No Windows

The plane lands in Adelaide.

The flight attendant takes the see-through container from Rosa.

Thank you for looking after the frog, says the flight attendant. You saved us a great deal of trouble.

It was fun, says Rosa. Goodbye tinker, I hope you get back to Kroombit Tops soon. Goodbye Baby Pierre. 

Do you hope anything for me? asks Baby Pierre.

Not really, says Rosa. Well, maybe... I hope Ouvert likes your story.

As if I care, says Baby Pierre.

The flight attendant closes the lid of the see-through container.

The passengers disembark one by one.

The flight attendant takes the see-through container down the ramp to International Arrivals.

Is this it? asks a Border Force officer, who has been waiting.

It's the frog for Mr G P Secundus, says the flight attendant. And there's a pebble in there as well, and a tiny bicycle, also a sheet of paper covered in very small writing. Oh, and the remains of a century egg. You might want to bin that.

Cripes! says the Border Force officer. Thanks for the heads up.

My pleasure, says the flight attendant. 

The Border Force officer takes the see-through container to a small room with no windows and takes off the lid.

Phew! says the Kroombit tinker. Fresh air at last! Where's Gaius?

She hops out.

Not so fast! says the Border Force officer. First we must ascertain your bona fides.

I'm a Kroombit tinker, says the Kroombit tinker. I don't have bona fides.

I know you're a Kroombit tinker, says the Border Force officer. But are you THE Kroombit tinker?

Who else would I be? asks the tinker.

I can vouch for her, says Baby Pierre.

And you are? asks the Border Force officer.

Baby Pierre, says Baby Pierre. Free thinker, elite cyclist, and author.

He wrote this, says the tinker, indicating the paper covered with very small writing.

The Border Force officer starts reading.

What's this? asks the Border Force officer after reading a few lines. The Nullarbor? A village in France? This document needs to go straight to ASIO to be vetted!.

Things are not going well.

Until....

Knock knock.

There's a knock on the door. 

Could it be, against all the odds, Gaius?

No it couldn't.

It's another Border Force officer.

But hey! The door is now open. 

The tinker looks at Baby Pierre.

Baby Pierre grabs his tiny bicycle.

They hop and zoom through the door.

You'll Always Wonder

It's a  good story so far, says the tinker. When is it ending?

When we get there, says Baby Pierre. 

Across the Nullarbor, or all the way to Adelaide? asks the tinker.

When Ouvert and I reach the end of the Nullarbor, says Baby Pierre. 

What happens then? asks the tinker.

Nothing. That's the end, says Baby Pierre.

An anouncement comes through, from the captain. 

We will shortly be arriving in Adelaide where the temperature is a fine twenty six degrees and the time will be....crackle crackle.

Already! says the tinker. That was a short journey.

Six hours, forty five minutes, says Rosa. Not that short. Has Baby Pierre finished his story?

No I haven't, says Baby Pierre. But I will. Where was I?

On a smelly black road, says the tinker. You did a good description. 

But you gave up on the mystery about Ouvert being your cousin, says Rosa. 

I didn't give up, says Baby Pierre. I resolved it.

By saying you didn't care, says Rosa.

And he didn't care, says Baby Pierre. 

Will you be showing the story to Ouvert? asks the tinker.

Maybe one day, says Baby Pierre.

He might not like it, says the tinker.

You should think about that, says Rosa. 

It's my story, says Baby Pierre. 

But you put a real person in it, says Rosa.

It might not be him, says Baby Pierre.

He'll always wonder, says the tinker. I would.

Would you, says Baby Pierre. If what?

If I was in your story, says the tinker.

Why is everyone so annoying ? says Baby Pierre. Shut up and let me write the ending.

He starts to write (very small): We were now approaching the end of the Nullarbor. We had crossed it and not died. This alone was a great achievement. Ouvert thanked me for keeping him motivated, by talking of our shared memories some of which had not even happened. That's all right I said and look who is waiting for us at the end of the Nullarbor, it's a girl frog, or is it? When we drew closer, it was. 

Is that frog supposed to be me? asks the tinker.

You'll always wonder, says Baby Pierre.