Problem Solving For Marxists And Surfers

Ying is sulking.

Gaius thinks she has broken a burrowing crayfish.

She thinks it died naturally.

In fact, she thinks she knows why.

But to say would be to implicate Arthur.

So she says nothing.

Gaius and Marx are discussing what to do in the light of no transport.

We'll stay here. Someone will turn up, says Gaius. Either Arthur or Unni.

I disagree, says Marx. We might be here forever.

I will be here forever, says Terence.

No, you won't says Marx. There's no means of production.

I don't need a means of production, says Terence.

I see you don't understand Marxist principles, says Marx.

For that matter neither do I, says Gaius. What are they? Something about changing the world?

You could say that, says Marx. My motto is 'doubt everything'.

Doubt everything, says Ying. That's stupid.

Grandpa isn't stupid, says Terence. Grandpa knows everything.

If he knows everything, says Ying, how can he doubt everything. It's a contradiction.

Contradictions may be elucidated through dialectic, says Marx.

I doubt it, says Gaius. A contradiction is a contradiction.

No it isn't, says Terence.

There is an awkward moment, until Grandpa Marx laughs.

Lets go up to the top, says Marx. I want to speak to Mohammed.

All right, says Gaius. I think we have done all we can here.

They make their way up to the top of the slide, via the walkway.

You again, says Mohammed, seeing Marx at the window. Your friend says you might buy a postcard.

He holds up a postcard.

How much? says Marx.

Four dollars fifty, says Mohammed.

I knew it, says Marx. Extortion. Rest assured there will be no such things as postcards come the revolution.

No such things as postcards? Is he joking?

You can never be certain.

........

Sweezus, Arthur, Surfing-With-Whales and Stew have reached the end of Bass Highway and entered Marrawah.

Where's the beach?

It's three kilometres away.

They stop off at the Marrawah Tavern and drink Boag's while they figure out what to do next.

Thing is, says Surfing-With-Whales.

What? says Sweezus.

We haven't got surfboards, says Surfing-With-Whales

After several Boag's this seems like less of a problem.