Sometimes Good Things Just Fall Into Your Lap

Unni waits for Arthur at the top of the steps beside the Inclinator.

Arthur appears at last, in a cool black jacket.

Nice jacket, says Unni. Where'd you get it? And how did you pay for it?

Modelling, says Arthur.

A disbelieving bubble arises from the sangria jug.

Modelling! says Unni.

Yes, says Arthur. I went into Neil Pitt's, in Launceston. They were waiting for a model to come in for a photo shoot. They must have thought it was me.

Unni looks appraisingly at Arthur. Yes, at a stretch, he could be a model. He has the tousled hair, the piercing blue eyes. But how could they have thought......

You told them, says Unni. You said you were the model.

Yes, says Arthur. And they made me put this jacket on.

It's wicked, says Unni. Kind of military looking.

It's evolved menswear, says Arthur. A Bossini button-through double-pocket jacket with a Johnny collar. Based on early twentieth century conflicts.

Did they give you any pants? asks Unni. It looks weird with purple paisley board shorts.

I had to take them off, says Arthur, regretfully.

Unni decides not to probe him any more.

.........

From the bottom of the Inclinator, Schopenhauer spots Unni and Arthur.

Come on down! he cries. Lunch is on me!

Really! says Unni. That's all very well but what am I do about his bicycle?

I'll take it down, says Arthur. Then I'll come back up for mine. You wait here.

( Arthur now feels like a man used to military conflicts and logistics).

He thumps the Platonic Ideal down the steps, spilling saline solution, ( thump, thump, thump), annoying Captain Louttit.

Wally and Goose watch Captain Louttit's face.

You can learn a lot from watching someone's face, says Wally.

If they have a face, says Goose.

He has and we haven't, says Wally. What does that mean?

The barnacles are beginning to question their  place in the scheme of things.

......

At last the members of the cycling party are sitting at a table with a view in the Gorge Restaurant.

Not the Kiosk. Schopenhauer is in a generous mood.

Have whatever you like from the menu, says Schopenhauer. I shall have the Mushroom and Caramelised Leek Parcel, with sweet potato and chilli jam.

Gaius chooses Eye Fillet Steak with Red Onion Marmalade.

It's that sort of menu. Brilliant. Awesome. Wow.