Last Things

Had they really seen a panda watching tv in a riverfront house in Goolwa?

Let's go back and see.

Yes there is the panda sitting comfortably in an armchair in front of the flickering screen. He seems to be alone in the house. Or maybe the owners have all gone to bed.

Come up to the window. What's he watching? It looks like the ABC news.

The panda looks sad momentarily. Whitney Houston has just died.

......

Back at the motel, Gaius has finished off the wine.

How lucky, says Belle et Bonne. Imagine if we'd bought the stoppers.

You are a sweetie, says Margaret. I am not so inclined to look on the bright side. Gaius is tipsy and we have walked a long long way for nothing.

They all repair to bed.

......

Next morning they are woken up again by screeching birds outside their window. They eat their breakfast. It is something that Marie has bought called Uncle Toby's PLUS.

This is not too bad, says The VeloDrone.

If you like cardboard, says Margaret. Does anyone want mine?

Give it to me, says Gaius. And he tips some into his pocket.

.....

It's checkout time. Gaius goes over to Mrs Roth's memorial prison bird cage to say goodbye to Major White.

Here, Major White, said Gaius. Have some PLUS.

He pokes a few flakes through the netting.

Major White has no time for PLUS. He jabs his beak nastily into Gaius's thumb.

Ungrateful parrot! says Gaius.

Waaarrr! says Major White.

.........

Come on Gaius! calls Margaret. We're all going to have a last walk on Goolwa Beach before we drive home.

Gaius walks to the car, dripping blood.