Don't Give Up And Die

The weekend in Blaxland goes quickly.

In fact it is over already.

Kong Fu-Zi is relieved.

On the plane back to Adelaide, he makes copious notes.

Notes Towards A Contemporary Confucian Philosophy.

( As you see, he now writes horizontal).

What are you writing? asks Katherine. And what's this doodle ? A police van?

Never mind that, says Kong Fu-Zi. It's a drawing of a Lego construction I made with Fish.

Fish loves his Lego, says Katherine. So does his sister. But not the same sort.

I did not see Butterfly's Lego, says Kong Fu-Zi. 

Her Lego is more character-driven, says Katherine. She has a cake stall, a pet shop, a beach cafe, an apple tree, a wheelbarrow and a scooter. And three girls with interchangeable hair. Two are sisters, and one is very naughty. She steals things, and likes poisoning cats. 

I assume you used the opportunity to impart a lesson to Butterfly, says Kong Fu-Zi. A lesson that stealing and poisoning are wrong actions.

Not exactly, says Katherine. She knew that already. She thought I was wicked. 

Kong Fu-Zi writes something down.

Do show me what you're writing, says Katherine. I'd love to know if your views on women have changed.

As a matter of fact, says Kong Fu-Zi, I am no longer sure that my brand of philosophy is relevant. It certainly needs tweaking.

Of course it needs tweaking, says Katherine. Ditch the patriarchal hierarchy, to begin with.

But that is the basis of society and the family, says Kong Fu-Zi. If I get rid of that, what is left?

Self help, says Katherine. It's the go, nowadays. Stress resolution, and finding meaning in one's job. What have you got in that area?

The snack trolley rolls by.

Tea, coffee, snacks? asks the flight attendant.

Two teas, please, says Katherine. Both with milk, and both without sugar.

The flight attendant finds this a difficult set of instructions. No one orders this way. Does it mean one of each, or the opposite, and if so, the opposite of what? 

It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop, says Kong Fu-Zi.

We have to stop, says the fight attendant, or no one would get any refreshments.

He doesn't refer to the particular, says Katherine. It's a self-help instruction. Knowing that, what do you think?

What is it again? asks the flight attendant, whose name is Vanessa. It doesn't matter......?

..........how slowly you go as long as you don't stop, says Katherine.

Don't stop, says Vanessa. Oh... I get it! That's clever. Like don't give up and DIE!

Several passengers look up from their devices.

Vanessa smiles around reassuringly, and hands Katherine a white tea with no sugar, and Kong Fu-Zi a black tea with two.