Sleeping The Sleep Of The Deep

Ageless lobster has returned from the dining car with a coffee and a half-eaten sandwich.

Tuna. It was the best he could find in a hurry.

He is pleased to discover that Baby Pierre and Brianna are engaged in an ontological argument.

Well then how did we GET here? says Brianna.

We've always been here, says Baby Pierre.

That's not true, says Brianna. I haven't.

I have, says Baby Pierre. Does that tell you something?

You're a big head, says Brianna.

Anyone like a bite of my sandwich? asks Ageless. Last chance.

He gulps down the last of his sandwich.

Soon we'll be in Kalgoorlie, says Ageless. You must say goodbye to Brianna, my son.

She's getting off too, says Baby Pierre. I asked her.

And I said yes, says Brianna. I can go on to Perth in a day or two. I'm not in a hurry.

She's having a polish, says Baby Pierre.

I know, says Ageless.

At ten past seven in the evening, the Indian Pacific arrives in Kalgoorlie.

Ageless stands up, pulls on his red knitted hat and gets off, followed by Baby Pierre and Brianna.

It's an exciting town, Kalgoorlie, especially at night time.

Tonight for example, at Centennial Park is the Youth Fest, featuring Marlisa.

Marlisa who won the X Factor, only last year.

I love Marlisa, says Brianna, Yay! Let's go to the Youth Fest.

It says here ages 12 to 25, says Ageless. So we can't. How very unfortunate.

We can slip in, says Brianna.

Yes we can, says Baby Pierre. It's an adventure. You don't have to come Ageless.

Rrrp, growls Ageless, bringing up gaseous tuna.

.........

The very same evening, (but later) in Perth, in the Old Swan Barracks Backpackers dormitory, Kobo is waiting.

She is under the pillow of the bed that Sweezus is about to fall into.

Arthur is in the next bed.

Gaius is already asleep, dreaming of ruby red sea dragons.

You okay? says Arthur.

Yup, says Sweezus. He thumps down on the bed without even getting under the covers.

You should get under, says Arthur. It's not that warm in here.

Bluh! mutters Sweezus, tossing and rolling his head on the pillow. Why can't he get comfy?

Kobo wonders if it's her.

She starts humming a ruby sea dragon song, to help Sweezus get comfy:

ruby ruby
so deep down
in the dark ocean
you can't see
our true colours
but we know
that we are
ruby ruby
click click
we click when happy
shhhhhhhhhaah

It's not long before Sweezus is sleeping the sleep of the deep.