Red Alert, Not Saying Why

Sydney Airport.

Arthur's phone rings.

It's Sweezus.

Miraculously, Arthur's battery is not flat.

Hello, says Arthur. We're just boarding.

For? says Sweezus.

Adelaide, says Arthur. Me and Pablo, and this other guy called Dries.

Does he ride? asks Sweezus. ( He means a bicycle)

Yes, says Arthur. Schopenhauer's bike.

Cool! says Sweezus. I'm getting a team up for the Tour Down Under.

That's a long time off, says Arthur.

Yep, says Sweezus. Organised as. So how come you're heading home early? Thought you were heading up to Ray's place.

Birds died, says Arthur. So we don't have to.

Excellent, says Sweezus. Bad luck, for Gaius though.

Well, not entirely, says Arthur.

How come? asks Sweezus.

Uh-oh! Red alert.

Nothing, says Arthur. Got to board now. See you shortly.

Click.

Arthur, Pablo and  Dries say goodbye to Unni.

Unni says goodbye to them.

Baggage is being loaded.

Where's the baby?

.........

On the flight.

Dries: It was lucky no one noticed.

Arthur: Mm.

Dries: What does Mm mean?

Pablo: It means he's not saying why it isn't lucky no one noticed.

Dries: Is that correct?

Arthur: Mm.

Dries: Turn out your pockets.

Arthur turns out his pockets.

Dirty Russian feathers, knitting needles that were used as props in a production, bun crumbs, tiny bits of egg shell.

Dries: Where's the baby?

Arthur: Not here. I had to make a hard decision.

........

Well, what would you do?

Your cycling team leader will go ballistic if you rock up with the baby of the two birds that he is obviously delighted are no longer in this world to torment him.