Unnecessary Coincidences

An unnecessary coincidence is about to occur.

Arthur, passing the Westbury post office, remembers his Sea Horse post card.

He texts Sweezus.

Did U get the postcard?

Then Arthur rides on, a little faster.

He catches up with Schopenhauer.

His phone rings. It's Sweezus.

And so it is that Schopenhauer obtains an answer to his question.

But not right away. Arthur is talking to Sweezus.

If you think sea horses are funny, wait till you hear about barnacles, says Arthur.

Deadline! hisses Schopenhauer.

Deadline? says Arthur.

Oh yeah, says Sweezus. Tell Schopenhauer he's got an extension.

You've got an extension, says Arthur to Schopenhauer.

Schopenhauer looks joyful.

Goose raises an eyebrow at Wally. ( A barnacle eyebrow, who knew?)

He's got an extension, says Goose.

Just like us, says Wally.

I didn't notice it when we were in his pocket, says Goose.

It must be a short one, says Wally.

..........

Gaius and Unni are in Deloraine, waiting.

Arthur and Schopenhauer rock up.

Where've you been? says Unni.

Talking to Sweezus, says Arthur. He told me how cold it would be on Cradle Mountain.

How cold? asks Gaius.

Snowing, says Arthur.

A shiver passes through everyone.

It's so lovely here, says Unni. The yellow wattle trees, the River Meander. The ducks. And it's not snowing. Let's camp here tonight.

We'll get a cabin, says Schopenhauer.

..........

A cabin! With a log fire. Enough beds for four people. It's two degrees outside.

A conference is in progress......

Schopenhauer: It was you who wanted to go to Cradle Mountain.

Gaius: I thought it was you.

Unni: It was the barnacle, remember. She was going to have babies.

Gaius: Jupiter! Where are those barnacles?

Arthur: In my Seahorse World Bag.

Gaius: Without water!

Captain Louttit: We are bearing up well in the dry.

Wally and Goose (coughing raspily) : So are we.

Gaius: Which one of you is the clever one?

Wally: She went to the place called beyond.

Goose: Like she wanted.

Gaius: So you are?

Goose: Goose and Wally.

Gaius: Goose? You're a Surf Barnacle, not a Goose Barnacle. Who gave you that name?

Goose: Wally.