Jiggling The Fabric Of Time

I should call Ray, says Gaius. Let me think. What time is it now in New South Wales?

Early, says Carl. Or late, depending.

Never mind, says Gaius. I must know the fate of the Bristlebirds.

Why don't you use the pointers? asks Mai-Mai.

The grown ups catch their breath. From the mouth of a child comes wisdom.

Excellent idea, says Carl Linnaeus. But I've never used the pointers.

It can't be that hard, says Gaius. They are pointers. Therefore they point.

The trick is to get them pointing, says Carl, without influencing the direction.

Obviously, says Gaius. I suppose a jiggling motion is in order. Beat the drum.

Carl places the bone pointers on the sun rhombus in the centre of the drum.

Tam-tam-tam-tam, he beats the side of the drum with the horn hammer. The leather tails fly.

Stop, says Gaius.

Carl stops beating.

Where are the pointers pointing? At which magical image?

The dead bird, says Hui Zhong.

The Spirit of Death, says Carl Linnaeus.

Wouldn't you know it, says Gaius.

There is a flaw, says Hui Zhong.

What? Everyone looks at the floor.

But no. She means a flaw in the procedure.

Gaius was watching the pointers, when he said stop, says Hui Zhong.

So I was, says Gaius. But you surely don't think I would exert undue influence to prove something that has no credibility.

No credibility? says Carl.

Hardly, says Gaius. It's all mumbo jumbo. But..... it does make one wonder.

Is your bird dead? asks Mai-Mai.

Birds, says Gaius. And that remains the question. I must call Ray.

Go ahead, says Carl Linnaeus.

Yes, go ahead, says the waiter, but first, would you care to order galettes and more coffee? You have been at this table for hours and only ordered one coffee per person, and one orange Wahaha.

Certainly, says Carl Linnaeus. More coffee, and galettes all round, and another Wahaha.

I don't want another Wahaha, says Mai-Mai. I wasn't allowed to drink the first one.  It was curdled.

Too late, she has said it. The waiter has gone.

Gaius calls Ray, in East Blaxland.

Moon, answers Ray. Go away, I'm sleeping. Who is it?

Gaius, says Gaius. Have you opened the red box yet?

No, says Ray.

Gaius looks at Carl.

He hasn't opened it yet, says Gaius. So much for your spiritual wandering.

You forget the time difference, says Carl.