Cruelty And Other Bad Behaviour

Smell these frog cakes, says Midge. Does anybody think they smell of pizza?

Opinion is divided.

Yes, says Belle et Bonne, sniffing. Yes they do.

No, says Surfing-With-Whales, taking a frog cake. That's artificial cream they use in these. It can't go off.

Yep, says Sweezus, They taste alright to me. He bites into the soft green fondant.

Yum, he says, taking another one. Yum, yum.

Arthur eats one too. They taste like something he has eaten once before.

Pastor Moon declines the offer of a frog cake.

So does Mrs Hume.

That is the first time we have agreed on something, says Mrs Hume. Marvels will never cease.

There are forty six frog cakes left in the cardboard box.

Shall we give them to the seagulls? asks Belle et Bonne.

She places the open box of frog cakes on the sand a few metres from Mrs Hume's towel.

The frog cakes quiver and their artificial cream begins to sweat.

Here come the seagulls. One steps up to the box. He grabs a frog cake in his beak and shakes it sharply.

Woop! The frog cake's creamy head falls in the sand. Another seagull comes along and swipes it.

More seagulls arrive, but there is no need for a war. There are enough frog cakes for them to have two each.

Midge gets her camera out. They look so funny with the frog cakes stuck half way down their throats.

Don't you think it's cruel? says Bunny, who did Biology in Year 12.

Everyone is mortified, as they realise that it is.

There is a lull.

The party is in danger of becoming a disaster. They have been cruel to seagulls, and some of them feel sick.

Arthur wanders off down the beach to look for unattended paddles.

Sweezus sits down next to Pastor Moon.

I think I'm going to throw up, says Sweezus.

Pastor Moon shifts awkwardly and half gets to his feet.

Don't go, says Sweezus. I want ask you something.

What? says Pastor Moon, sitting down again. I'm sure there's nothing I can tell you that you don't already know.

Mrs Hume claps her hands. Good answer, Moon!

No, says Sweezus. I was just wondering if you could loan me a couple of hundred?

Good heavens! says Pastor Moon. Good god almighty! No, I couldn't!

Keep your shirt on, says Sweezus. Just asking.

Belle et Bonne is listening and she is not impressed with Sweezus, not at all.