A Love Of Science And Desire For Truth

So here is everyone. Eating damper and drinking billy tea. It is getting dark.

Gaius is still listing the little-known virtues of zircon.

The zircon, says Gaius, will help to focus energy resources, uncover lies and deception, cultivate a love of science and desire for truth......and most wonderful of all, can be relied upon to rescue its owner from possession by evil spirits.

Wow! says Emma. That is awesome. You're so lucky, Arthur.

I gave it to him, says Lavender.

I know, says Emma. You're so cool, Lavender. You could have kept it. But you gave it to him.

Now he'll be protected, says Lavender.

We'll see, says Arthur. It's either it or me.

Where are you all off to next? asks mum, hoping that they are all off to somewhere next, and fairly soonish.

Back to the Gemtree Caravan Park, says Gaius. We have to pick up Ageless and the boys. Then Dr Yates will drive us back to Alice Springs. Will you be coming with us,  Arthur?

No, says Arthur, I'll go back on the bike.

Are you sure? says Dr Yates. It's a long way, and it's getting dark.

It's not that far, says Arthur.

If the zircon had been paying attention, it would have intervened right here.

But the zircon is daydreaming. Thinking of all the things it has learned so far today. Of the many powers it possesses, and the recipe for damper. A good day's work, it thinks.

 ( It doesn't know the recipe for damper. It thinks all you need is flour, butter, sugar and sultanas, but it has no inkling of the need for water, or alternatively, milk).

I'll set off now, says Arthur. See you there.

He walks out of the tent, the zircon rattling in his pocket.

Strange boy, says Gaius. Always sloping off.