Lost Opportunities

Gaius is in the Mayor's office, waiting for the Mayor to appear.

At last the Mayor enters.

Sorry, says Mayor Paul Thomas. So much to do, so little time. How may I ....oh, it's you, Gaius.

It is, says Gaius. Back from my travels as you see.

Wonderful, says Paul Thomas, and how is the Twitcher? Did he make it to Kas?

Ahem, says Gaius. It's all here in my report. What I am interested in now is......

The Mayor's phone rings.

Sorry, says Paul Thomas. Better take this. Hello? Yes, yes. Oh yes, tonight, absolutely no worries. See you there. Sorry Gaius, what were you saying?

.......to know how the issue of the taxonomic status of Sepia Apama is progressing, says Gaius.

You're in luck, says Paul Thomas. There's an extraordinary meeting tonight in the Wallaroo Hotel on that very topic. Perhaps you could read your report at the meeting. Kill two birds with one stone.

What? says Gaius. Two birds ....?

I mean that saves me having to read it, says Paul Thomas. I'll be at the meeting.

Gaius thinks: Is this some sort of brush off? Margaret would know.

What time is the meeting? says Gaius, a little stiffly.

Eight, says Mayor Paul Thomas. See you there.

........

Gaius wanders down to the Wallaroo jetty, looking for Arthur and Sweezus.

He can't see them.

He takes out his phone to call Arthur. Ring ring.

What? says Arthur.

Where are you? says Gaius.

Way down the beach, says Arthur. Getting some fresh air.

Not true. He is in the pub. So is Sweezus.

I'll walk down to meet you, says Gaius. Which way ? North?

North, says Arthur. That's right.

Was that Gaius? says Sweezus.

Yes, says Arthur. He's going to go for a walk. A long one.

Did he sound angry? says Sweezus.

Arthur thinks back. No he didn't sound angry.

..............


Time passes. It is sunset. A beautiful evening in Wallaroo.

The sea glints metal and primrose, the sky glows fiery orange and purple. Birds wheel and fly northwards. The jetty is silent and black.

Jazzman is waiting. He is thinking, as he often does, about his MBA, and whether it was worth all that money or whether his time has been wasted.

Here comes someone now.

It's not Bandy or Snook. Not Sweezus or Arthur.

It's an old dude.

Gaius, has been walking all afternoon. First northwards then southwards, not finding Arthur. He is late for the meeting.

Evening, says Jazzman

Evening, says Gaius. I would stop and enjoy it, but I'm late for a meeting.

I'm early for one, says Jazzman. But's that's me all over.

What a pity. It is just the evening for a temporal discussion of this nature.

Gaius knows he had better move on.