Something A Seagull Would Know

A problem has arisen in the deluxe suite.

It is to do with the sleeping arrangements.

There is a large double bed and two singles.

No BUNK! says Terence. This is a rubbish deluxe suite.

I'll see the captain, says Gaius.

But he doesn't need to.

Knock knock.

It's the captain.

Settling in? Just come to see if you need anything, says the captain.

He does a quick head count.

.......

That was nice of the captain, says Rosamunda.

She is in a second deluxe suite, with Gaius and Arthur.

She will sleep in the double, and Gaius and Arthur the singles.

.......

In the first deluxe suite, there are still a few unresolved problems.

We'll take the double, says Surfing-With-Whales.

Rose and I will take the double, says Louis-Claude de Freycinet.

Rose? says Surfing-With-Whales.

I mean, Unni, says Louis-Claude de Freycinet. Forgive me, my sweetness.

Whatever, says Surfing-With-Whales. She's not humping a lobster.

Hush, says Unni. This is unnecessary. Louis-Claude, don't forget you're on night watch.

Absoluement, says Louis-Claude de Freycinet. But when I return in the morning, I expect this double bed to be empty except for you Rose. And to this purpose, I leave little Terence.

Terence looks up from the porthole he has been looking through.

No way is he sleeping in here.

.......

Louis-Claude de Freycinet is on the bridge, beside the ship's captain.

Always good to have another pair of eyes, says the captain.

Pas du tout, says Louis Claude de Freycinet. By the way, look out there!

Something is heaving up and down in the water, to starboard.

Thanks, says the Captain, pressing buttons on his console, to change course slightly and miss the thing that is heaving in the water.

Thus an accident at sea is avoided. Eyes on stalks. That's what's needed.

.......

Terence knocks on the door of the second deluxe suite.

Knock knock.

What is it?  Arthur opens the door.

I want a bunk bed, says Terence, and I don't want to sleep with bad people.

Come on, says Arthur. I'll find you an Ocean Recliner. That's nearly as good.

.......

The Spirit of Tasmania glides through the dark waters.

Stars lurk behind clouds.

A south westerly arises. Or perhaps a wind from another direction.

It's something a seagull would know.