Careless Odours

Gaius has dilated pupils. The pupils are not the same size.

He has a headache and feels dizzy and nauseous.

He has no memory of what happened.

And no sense of smell.

In his ears, there is ringing.

(But that is the doorbell).

Margaret and Professor Xu Xing have arrived at the surgery.

Wills lets them in.

........

Earlier:

Vello and Davis are cycling away from Willunga.

Obviously they didn't notice Gaius being led into Bev's surgery by Wills and Harry.

It is sunny, and the pale green late autumn Willunga hills form a fine rolling back drop.

He'll be fine, says Vello.

Of course he will, agrees David.

(Let's forget we heard that).

Two riders are coming towards them, from Port Willunga.

Vello! David! cries Margaret.

Is that Margaret? says David. How embarassing. She's with Professor Xu Xing.

Can't we pretend we didn't see them? says Vello.

Hardly, says David. He's waving. We'd better slow down.

Margaret is puffing, as it is slightly uphill in that direction.

Did you see Gaius? says Margaret. Is he all right?

Er......no, says Vello. Why, what has happened?

Concussion, says Margaret. We're following the Rock Fall Emergency vehicle to the doctor's.

Goodness me, says David. Then don't let us stop you.

How pleasant to see you out here, says Professor Xu Xing. I heard you were terribly busy.

Yes, yes, says Vello. Terribly busy. We are just heading back to the office. Lots to do. You can't imagine....

I can, says Professor Xu Xing. I am a busy man too, always working. But Margaret and Gaius have been most gracious. It was delightful, until Gaius fell down the cliff face.

Dear, dear, says David. Give him our best wishes.

Do, says Vello. And warn him, if you get the opportunity, not to buy any tickets.

David kicks Vello's ankle. Too late.

Tickets? says Margaret. What tickets? Is something on somewhere?

No, just a general warning, mumbles Vello.

Margaret now has an added incentive. She gets back on her bike, and pedals off towards the town of Willunga, followed by Professor Xu Xing.

Vello and David continue their ride back to Adelaide.

Their ethical dilemmas, if they had any, drift behind them, like careless odours, rising to the heavens where they form a nebulous cloud.