He Hasn't Even Heard The Question

Captain Louttit leads them to an unlatched door behind the CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Centre.

Shh! They slip inside.

They tiptoe to the lab with the private saltwater aquarium, where there's a burning smell.

The power is off, but every few seconds the room lights up, thanks to the searchlights from the installation built by Rafael Lozano-Hemmer.

Gaius feels along the lab bench for the kettle.

Flash! There it is.

It seems to have boiled dry and there is black stuff on the wall around the electric socket.

Gaius points it out to Captain Louttit.

A salutory lesson for you, says Gaius.

Yes, says Schopenhauer. It's simple science. Never leave a kettle boiling.

Health and Safety, says Unni. It isn't even science. Just common sense.

I am first a lobster, says Captain Louttit, and second a sea captain, and third, the only one of our party who has had the forethought to secure a room in Hobart. So I will thank you all to shut up and be grateful. It's only a kettle.

Gaius, Schopenhauer, Unni and Arthur realise at once that this is true.

And anyway, what sort of laboratory has a kettle that doesn't have an automatic cutoff?

So they begin to speak of more important things.

What next? says Unni. Go home the way we came?

No, says Schopenhauer. Gaius and I decided it was a mistake to leave the coastline. Small wonder we were unsuccessful.

Hear, hear, says Captain Louttit. Stick to the coastline.

Okay, says Unni. I suggest we go back via Swansea, Bay of Fires and........the Dismal Swamp.

She looks at everyone in turn to see if anyone objects to Dismal Swamp.

It's the only blackwood sinkhole on earth. It would be such a shame to miss it, continues Unni.

Indeed? says Gaius pricking up his ears. The only....?

Dismal Swamp it is, says Schopenhauer.

Gaius looks annoyed.

It's just a teeny weeny bit out of the way, says Unni.

We must remember, says Gaius, that we need to get home in time to make our preparations for the Tour de France. When is it, Arthur?

Arthur has been looking through the window trying to mesmerize himself by staring at the flashing searchlights.....

Flash....flash....flash.....flash....flash.......

.....and he hasn't even heard the question.