3D Printing And Ethical Ownership

Next morning early. Ray packs the ute.

Thermos, spider book, underpants, bible.

A bag of small oranges. A big banana.

He reverses out of the driveway and off down the road.

Sweezus and Katherine are waiting on the footpath, under a tree from which still hangs a minion balloon.

Katherine climbs into the ute. Sweezus throws her luggage into the back and gets in beside her.

Ray heads down the road towards Penrith.

You travel light, remarks Ray.

I pride myself on it, says Katherine.

Not you Katherine, says Ray.

Me? says Sweezus. My stuff's in my pockets.

He feels in his pockets.

Phone, wallet, pen, notebook........rubber spider!

Can we turn back? says Sweezus.

No way, says Ray.

Silence.

Where am I dropping you, Katherine? asks Ray as they roll into Penrith.

This'll do. Just let me off here, Ray, says Katherine. I'll walk the rest.

No no, says Ray. I'll drive you. What's the address?

Unni's says Sweezus.

I might have known, says Ray, heading for Floribunda Drive.

Unni is out in the garden, picking shrivelled camellias.

Too late she sees Ray, pulling up in the driveway.

But Ray stays in the ute, only Katherine and Sweezus get out.

Katherine! cries Unni. It's been such a long time! Hi Sweezie! Come in guys!

They go in, while Ray slowly peels his banana.

Hey Unni, how's things? asks Sweezus. What've you been up to?

This and that, says Unni. Cycling. Coaching. Got a new 3D printer. I make things.

Wicked, says Sweezus. Like what?

You name it, says Unni. But this is something I made for you, Katherine.

She gives Katherine a red shoe box, tied with natural string.

Is this it? asks Katherine. Or do I open it?

Open it, says Unni. The present's inside.

The red box is heavy. Katherine undoes the string. Takes the lid off.

Unni dear, how adorable, says Katherine. It has her exact features! Aren't you clever!

Whose features? asks Sweezus. Can I see?

Olive Python, says Katherine fondly, thrusting the box towards Sweezus.

Sweezus peers into the box and is struck by the likeness. It's Olive Python, to the life, except for the fact that she's plastic.

Unni is glowing. Her hairstyle is new. Short, dark and spiky, with gold tips. She looks kind of awesome.

Sweezus has not felt so happy in ages.

He wants to give Unni something. What's he got, though?

Nothing, except...... the rubber spider. He does a quick ethical calculation.

Never mind the steps. The result is: it's his, really.

He takes the pink and black rubber spider out of his pocket and presents it to Unni.

She looks at it, suspicious.

Dad give this to you? says Unni.