A Vomit Dissolving Swim

Ageless and Kobo have departed for Taylor Jetty and their romantic half day island cruise.

Gaius is standing outside the backpackers, discussing the finer points of diving with Ferdy.

Sure, says Ferdy. The less bubbles you blow out the less you'll frighten the sea dragons.

Wonderful, says Gaius. But bubbles rise to the surface. And I shall be floating thirty metres above the natural habitat of the sea dragons. Where's the advantage?

You could go down a bit lower, says Ferdy. But not thirty metres. You need an atmospheric diving suit, really.

Far too expensive, says Gaius. But Ageless gave me an idea, though.

The lobster? says Ferdy.

Yes, he seemed to be thinking of sending Kobo down on a string, as a spotter, says Gaius.

The fossilised clam? says Ferdy.

Yes, says Gaius. Are you following me?

No, says Ferdy. The clam went with the lobster on an Island Cruise. Remember?

Gaius remembers that Ferdy has not yet met Baby Pierre.

Here he comes now, with Brianna.

Baby Pierre, says Gaius, what would you say to joining me on my diving expedition?

Wowee! Lucky! says Brianna.

Yay! says Baby Pierre. I TOLD you.

Indeed, says Gaius. All we need is some string. Where is Arthur?

But Arthur has gone down to the beach for a vomit-dissolving swim.

Sweezus emerges, looking preoccupied.

Hi dude! says Ferdy. We meet again.

Dude! You made it! says Sweezus. Good on you. Did you bring the rebreather?

Yep, says Ferdy, But apparently we're short of some string.

No worries, says Sweezus. I'll ask Natalie.

He goes back inside.

Natalie, says Sweezus. Got any string?

Sure, in the drawer somewhere, says Natalie. How much string?

Dunno, says Sweezus. He goes back outside to find out the required length of string.

Thirty metres, says Sweezus, on returning.

Oooh, says Natalie doubtfully. That's a shitload of string.

Sweezus grins. Yeah, a shitload.

Nice to see you smiling, says Natalie. You looked sad earlier.

Mm, says Sweezus. I was talking to my little mate Terence. He's in Melbourne, at the Marxism Conference.

Cool, I wanted to go to that, says Natalie. How's it going?

He's been shopping, says Sweezus. With his so-called grandpa.

So-called? says Natalie. That sounds creepy.

Karl Marx, says Sweezus. He thinks he's his grandpa. Marx went mental at the conference and took Terence shopping.

Shopping, says Natalie. That's heaps funny. What did he buy?

One of those Peruvian hats with the side flaps, says Sweezus.

They're awesome, says Natalie. He'll love it. Oh look! Here's a big ball of string!

Thanks, Natalie, says Sweezus. How much do I owe you?

Nothing at all, says Natalie. All property is theft in the long run. And I don't know whose it is.

Wicked, says Sweezus, going out with the string to show Gaius that he can be relied on.