Some Disadvantages Of Reliability

The ten tiny platypus beetles are excited. At last they are free.

They run without thinking. Running running.

Looking for something to eat.

Now they are scattered all over the venue, under different carved panels.

One by one, they stop running, and sniff. So ends their initial excitement.

Sniff sniff. Huon pine? We don't eat that. That's why they use it for boats.

One by one they make their way back to the tin.

Arthur has left the lid open.

But they don't know how to get in.

........

Unni is showing Arthur her favourite panel.

Look at her face, says Unni. Her husband has died. She's got young children. It's so poignant.

Arthur looks. To him it doesn't look poignant. It looks like it's meant to look poignant.

You don't like it, says Unni.

Too earnest, says Arthur. And anyway, I've had it with this trip. I'm sick of being reliable.

Arthur, you're not reliable, says Unni. Just look how you opened the tin and let the beetles out......

Arthur do this, Arthur do that, says Arthur. Wade in and pick up the shrimp. Phone the jellyfish lady.

I bet you didn't, says Unni.

No I didn't, says Arthur.

........

Greg Duncan has finished his sanding.

I'm closing up in a minute, says Greg. What did you think of it?

Very commendable, says Gaius.

Ditto, says Schopenhauer. Very nice wood. Is it expensive?

About five thousand dollars a panel, says Greg. But it's worth it. Huon pine lasts forever.

Nothing lasts forever, says Gaius.

That reminds me, says Schopenhauer, we haven't had any dinner.

There's a nice restaurant in Derwent Bridge, says Greg Duncan. Or if you care to push on to Wayatinah, you could have dinner in the tavern. It's friendly and warm. More like a club than a pub.

Wayatinah, says Gaius. Oh yes, the Liapootah Power Station, and the Floral Clock.

Himmel! says Schopenhauer. What's this nonsense you're spouting?

Tourism flyers, says Gaius. Yes, we shall push on to Wayatinah. Thanks Greg, for showing us your wall.

No worries, says Greg. By the way, is that your tin?

It is! says Gaius. Arthur. What's my tin doing down on the floor?

Arthur goes to pick up the tin.

He can't believe it. The beetles are back, lined up hopefully.

A reliable person would pick them up gently and drop them back in.

Whereas Arthur just picks up the tin.