Does Anyone Believe In First Principles?

What are IEDs anyway? says Alli.

Devices, says Iris.

Brilliant! says Alli. Like ipads and iphones and that?

Improvised Explosive Devices, says Iris. But they won't be real ones. Now shut up. Can you hear something?

Boom! says Terence. Pa-choong!

Iris places her hand over Terence's mouth.

I mean really, says Iris. This isn't a game. It's a mission.

What is it? says Terence.

A mission, hisses Alli.

But what is the mission? whispers Terence.

Secure the devices, says Alli. Didn't you listen?

They creep up to a clearing. In the clearing are various barrels, draped in camouflage rags, but no people.

This'll be easy, says Terence.

.......


Victor and Baby Pierre arrive at the other side of the clearing. Victor props the Platonic Ideal up against a Silver Banksia.

 What now? says Baby Pierre.

Surveillance, says Victor. Let me know if you see any movement.

He gets out his notebook.

Damn! Gaius still has his pencil!

.......

Three team members appear at the edge of the clearing.

Rex, Max and Opal.

Rex: Look out for signs of  terrorist activity!

Max: The barrels are signs of terrorist activity!

Opal: He's right Rex. They're full of unexploded devices.

Rex: What's the point of firing at unexploded devices?

Opal: Yeah, they might go off. We have to look out for actual terrorist people.

Max: Look over there!

Rex: What?

Opal: Oh it's a baby! He's got cute little shorts on.

Rex: Attack the baby!

Max: Ka-choong!

Opal: How can you? I'm going forward. Hold your fire!

Max: Tch! Women.

Opal: I heard that! Pa-choong!

Max: Ooh! Not fair! We're on the same side.

Rex: Team building, remember!

Opal: Doesn't anyone believe in First Principles!

.........

Terence lies on the ground in the  middle of the clearing, surrounded by team members. He is bright blue.

Iris and Alli edge forward.

Does this mean it's over? says Iris

Baby Pierre can no longer restrain himself. He rides forward on his tiny bicycle.

It's not over! cries Baby Pierre. It's just started!

Victor has no choice now but to emerge from behind the Silver Banksia.

Hello all, says Victor. I'm from Pee Pee Pee at Po. Anyone heard this one?

Opal: A joke? You're not serious!

Victor: A midget psychic escapes from prison. The police issue a statement: Small medium at large.

There is silence while the team members digest this new turn of events in the mission.

But it is pretty funny. Small medium at large.

One by one, they all start to laugh.

Except the number two Green Flash, ( the blue one) who appears to have carked it.