Sufficient Unto The Day

Arthur has dropped down onto the rocks below the balcony, to find a bloody scene.

Jazzman has slipped over on the biscuit, scraping his knees and elbows.

Sweezus is looking for something, anything, to soak up all the blood.

Pete has seen a piece of paper wedged between two rocks and gone to get it.

What happened to him? says Arthur.

Slipped, says Sweezus. Got a bandage?

Still using it, says Arthur.  But I could take it off.

Jazzman shakes his head.

Pete brings back the paper. It looks like the sort of paper that wraps up fish and chips.

In fact, it is exactly that sort of paper. There are chip crumbs sticking to it, and grains of salt. He dabs at Jazzman's bleeding knees and elbows with the dirty paper.

Ouch! yells Jazzman! That bloody stings!

Shh! says Arthur. Gaius is escaping.

Good, says Sweezus. Where is he?

At the front, says Arthur.

Arthur and Sweezus clamber up the rocks and round the side of the house. They reach the front door just as Gaius is emerging.

Good lads! says Gaius. Make haste!

Arthur and Sweezus are all for that. And here comes Pete supporting Jazzman, limping, his knees stuck up with bleeding paper.

They head off down the street, leaving a trail of blood.

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

Next morning, Gaius, Sweezus and Arthur are at the bus stop waiting for the bus, when along comes Vincent, the local policeman.

Hello, Gaius, says Vincent. Are you aware you've been reported missing?

Vincent! says Gaius. What would you say to an attempted poisoning ?

Well, well, says Vincent. Poisoning eh? Will you be laying any charges?

No, no, says Gaius. I have recovered, and been rescued. Let that be sufficient unto the day. Now you must excuse us, Vincent, here comes our bus.

The bus rolls in, and stops. Gaius, Sweezus and Arthur get on, and find three seats near the back.

The seats have high backs and they do not see the demon getting on.

The demon settles down low in one of the front seats near the driver.

The minutes tick by.

The driver starts the engine. Goodbye Wallaroo.

Looks like Jazzman isn't coming, says Sweezus.

Did he say he was? says Arthur.

Yeah, he said he might, says Sweezus. But he's got those injuries.

That wouldn't have stopped me, says Arthur.

I know, says Sweezus. He's not all that dynamic.

You think I'm dynamic? says Arthur.

No, says Sweezus. But you're more dynamic than he is. And you have a way of making people think they can do anything. Like me for instance. And that Rosamunda, and Bunny Moon.

Arthur is pleased to think that he has made several people think they can do anything.

Unknown to him, his latest effort is sitting curled up at the front