Lobster On Ice

Ageless is lifted high into the air, above the ice rink.

Ha ha, lobster on ice, says a familiar voice.

Very funny, says Ageless, twisting to see who it is.

It's Farid.

Get these boots off me, says Ageless. And take me somewhere where it's warm.

That's why I'm here, says Farid, pulling at Ageless's blue skating boots with unnecessary vigour.

Watch it , says Ageless. You'll have my legs off.

You've got more, says Farid.

Is this the same Farid who was so pleasant to him previously?

Now he is rough and rude.

Come, says Farid.

No, says Ageless. I prefer to remain independent.

You have no choice in the matter, says Farid.

.........

Meanwhile, on the long bus ride to Pamukkale, Gaius is pondering the meaning of Katherine's automatic writing.

It was ARTHUR! says Gaius.

Pardon? says Katherine. What was Arthur?

Blue, Blue, says Gaius. That was Arthur's song. The one he played at the closing night concert of the Masters Games in Alice Springs! You were channeling Arthur.

I assure you I wasn't, says Katherine.

It all fits, says Gaius.

Not the feet, says Katherine.

'A week is a lifetime on the other side', says Gaius. That fits. Arthur is already utterly bored in Kas with that Bunny. He's wishing he'd come to Pamukkale with us.

You don't know young people, says Katherine, rubbing her foot. Are we there yet? I need to soak this.

She shows Gaius her foot. It is blueish.

...........

Katherine is right about Arthur.

He is not bored in Kas. Nor is Bunny.

They have hired two kayaks and are paddling down the coast towards the sunken city of Kekova. The sea is blue, the sun is warm, the coastline is the loveliest in the Mediterranean.

 If you like ruins.