Hippies And Hipsters

Gaius and Ray Moon are at the police station being interviewed by Sergeant Victor.

No busking licence, says Victor. That's crime number one.

What if he said he was preaching? asks Gaius.

Crime number two, says Victor.

But I wasn't, says Ray hastily.

Thirdly, says Victor, that jar of so-called saliva.

So-called saliva! says Gaius.

Benefit of the doubt, says Victor. I must ask you to give me a sample.

You can have the whole lot, says Gaius.

Don't be so hasty, says Ray. We may need it.

What for? asks Victor, suspiciously.

We were both bitten, says Ray, and saliva, according to Gaius, is an effective antidote.

Antidote! scoffs Victor. Carrying a jar of human saliva is an offence under the Human Excretions Act.

You made that up, says Ray.

Not I, says Victor. And further more that reminds me, crime number ...where are we up to?....four.... introducing venomous snakes into the Mall.

Victor writes copious notes in his notebook.

Ray's head is swimming. He looks about for a chair.

...........

Katherine and Margaret have located the ute and found Porky.

Porky doesn't look well.

His bandages are sticky and yellow with vomit. His eyes are the colour of stones.

Poor wee fellow, says Margaret. He needs a drink of water.

Yes, water, says Katherine. Don't fret Porky. We'll find you some water.

Her phone rings.

Ring ring.

It's Arthur.

Katherine, says Arthur. Where are you? We're at your house.

In the city, says Katherine. The Fringe is on. We've been watching the busking. You could meet us down here.

Okay, says Arthur. We're coming.

.......

Fifteen minutes later, Arthur and Sweezus appear in front of Katherine and Margaret.

Arthur! says Katherine. Just look at the state of your shorts! And you Sweezus! You look like a hippie.

It's hipster they call them nowadays, Katherine, says Margaret.

Is it? says Katherine. I thought hipsters dressed smartly.

Well I wouldn't know, grumbles Margaret.

Arthur and Sweezus wait for Katherine to suggest they go shopping

I would take you boys shopping, says Katherine, but I really must get some water for Porky.

I'll do it, says Margaret. He'll die if he waits for you. Let me have him.

Thank you Margaret, says Katherine, handing Margaret a large plastic shopping bag with something heavy inside.

Margaret heads off with the bag, to look for a deli.

Is Porky in a box? asks Sweezus.

Oh no dear, says Katherine. That would be cruel. Come on you two. Let's go shopping.