Thanks To Science Not Maths

Now things move quickly, thanks to science.

Farky has been untied and revived.

He doesn't like any of these people, not even Margaret, who saved him.

He sniffs the air, for a scent of Sweezus.

Sniff sniff.

Along the highway, wafting gently with the breeze comes a scent.

The scent matches the scent of the string he was tied up with.

It is coming in from the north, from the pocket of Arthur, where the string was.

Arthur, who was with Sweezus.

Dogs can put two and two together.

This is science, not maths. The science of animal behaviour. And the science of smell.

Farky tears off down the road towards Adelaide.

........

Lauren and Gaius resume their journey.

He'll be fine, says Lauren. Dogs always land on their feet.

It's cats that do that, but Gaius doesn't pick up on it.

He is busy devising useful applications of Reiki.

........

Margaret and Professor Xu Xing also resume their journey.

Honestly, says Margaret. Reiki. What next?

I don't know, says Professor Xu Xing. But one should keep one's mind open. Take Chinese medicine for example.

Margaret does not wish to take Chinese medicine. She changes the subject.

So what prompted you to become a paleontologist? asks Margaret.

I wanted to study economics, says Professor Xu Xing. But in Beijing in the eighties, students had no choice in their degrees, and I was told I had to study paleontology.

And the rest is history, says Margaret.

Indeed, says Professor Xu Xing. Now of course things are different. My two boys will choose their own path.

Boys? says Margaret. Are you married?

Oh yes, says Professor Xu Xing.

.......

Farky has now reached Reynella.

The traffic is heavy.

The smell of mouldy string mingles with fumes.

........


Adelaide.

Sweezus and Arthur check in at the Velosophy office.

Any news of Gaius? asks Vello.

On his way, says Sweezus.

With Lauren Swales, and a dog, says Arthur.

Shit, says Sweezus. I'd forgotten about Farky. What if they didn't see him?

What's this? says David.

We tied Farky to the Kombi, says Arthur. But Gaius and Lauren were in the back and wouldn't have seen us.

In the back? says Vello. How do you know?

It was vibrating, says Arthur, making an exaggerated rhythmical movement.

Vello bursts out laughing.

David to his credit is more concerned with the fate of poor Farky.