Does It Freak You Out Big Time Or What?

Sweezus has not told Arthur that baby B-B thinks he's his mother.

His reasoning goes thus:

It would fuck things up.

However, Belle can't keep it a secret.

She is telling him now.

Yes, says Belle. A macaw is bringing him, all the way from Sydney.

Arthur can't believe it. And doesn't.

Belle can see that Arthur doesn't believe it.

It's true, says Belle. Unni told Sweezie.

He didn't tell me, says Arthur.

He would have had his reasons, says Belle.

I know. He doesn't like birds, says Arthur. So tell me again why it's coming?

It thinks you're its mother, says Belle. Isn't that sweet? You'll have to make preparations.

Don't worry, I will, says Arthur.

He heads off to the Velosophy office.

Hi! says Sweezus. Not long now, and I can take time off.

Can we leave early? asks Arthur.

Not till Vello and David get back from Paris, says Sweezus. They're due back on Friday.

So's Gaius, says Arthur.

Oh yeah, Gaius. He's been trying to get you.

My phone's dead, says Arthur. What does he want?

Something about going to Queensland, says Sweezus. They've found this loony-toons shrimp there.

Too bad, says Arthur.

He wants you to call him, says Sweezus. By the way, he knows about your bird.

What about it? says Arthur. That I left it to die? That it didn't? That it thinks I'm its mother?

Shit! So you know, says Sweezus. Does that freak you out big time or what?

I'm working on it, says Arthur.

........

Meanwhile, Mango macaw is flying over Alawoona, with baby B-B.

A dead-looking town, a railway siding, a cemetery.

Should she land in the cemetery? Or should she keep going?

What's five minutes? And baby B-B might cheer up when he visits the cemetery.

Mango lands in the cemetery.

What's this place? asks baby B-B.

A cemetery, says Mango. For dead people.

More than that, says baby B-B, looking at the headstones. Eglintons, Fineys, Flints, Henschkes, and oh....here lies wee Elsie May Upeneet, 6 months......a baby.

Yes, says Mango. Puts it all in perspective. Some get eaten, some don't. Some get a headstone. You won't see a bird with a headstone.

This reasoning eludes baby B-B.

Still, he feels slightly more cheerful. He won't get a headstone.

Knew you'd cheer up, says Mango. Now let's get going. We'll be there in less than five hours.

........

Less than five hours.

This could be a problem.

They're not expected till Friday.