Disgusting Specimens

Gaius is getting impatient.

Still no sign of Arthur.

Rosamunda has an idea.

Terence, says, Rosamunda, How would you like to create a diversion?

All by myself? says Terence.

Yes, says Rosamunda. Squeeze through there, go down the boardwalk about fifty metres and start crying.

Then what will happen? asks Terence.

We'll tell the man we need to get in to rescue you, says Rosamunda.

That's not a diversion, says Terence. I know how to do a diversion. I do them all the time.

All right then, do your own diversion, says Rosamunda. When will you start?

I'm already starting, says Terence, walking up to the ticket office where Mohammed is turning away early customers.

Guess what? says Terence to Mohammed.

Sorry, we're closed, says Mohammed.

Terence goes back to Rosamunda.

You missed your chance, says Terence. You should have rushed in while I kept him talking.

I heard you, says Rosamunda. You just said Guess what? That wasn't long enough to do anything.

But it was.

Gaius, Ying and Stew have departed. Only Unni is here.

Where'd they go? asks Rosamunda.

Down that track there, says Unni, pointing. During Terence's diversion.

They were quick on their feet, says Rosamunda.

I should get a reward, says Terence.

In the number of minutes it takes to get down to the swamp floor by the walking trail, Gaius, Ying and Stew reach the bottom.

They are not  far from the spot where Arthur and Surfing-With-Whales are lying, filthy and groaning.

Arthur, says Gaius. You ought to have waited. You too, Surfing-With-Whales.

Surfing-With-Whales looks up from the mud, unfocused.

Big night! says Surfing-With-Whales.

Have you begun gathering specimens? asks Gaius.

Yes I have, says Arthur.

And indeed, he has gathered some specimens.

Ying giggles.

They should be in jars.

....

Meanwhile up top, Rosamunda, Unni and Terence are chatting to Mohammed.

The slide roof will be fixed soon, says Mohammed. Then you ladies can go down. Leave the baby with me for the morning.

Lovely, says Rosamunda. Thank you.

Cool, says Unni. Yes. Thanks.

No way, says Terence. I'm sliding and you can't stop me.

He runs wildly towards the gaping slide entrance and disappears down the hole.

Now look what you've done, says Rosamunda.

He won't get far, says Mohammed. The repair man will stop him.

But the repair man is standing on a box with his head above the cover, wielding sticky tape.

And we know what that's like, on an angle.

Terence being little, slides past him, and all the way down to the bottom, coming out like a cork.

Pop!

Arthur! cries Terence, spotting Arthur. Arthur, Arthur, GUESS WHAT?