Dancing On The Volcano

This Catcher, is he one of the group? asks Lauren.

No way! pants Sweezus. He's a Blue Swimmer.

So, Bob won't be liable? asks Lauren.

Bob? Sweezus looks blank.

Surfing-With-Whales, says Lauren. I'm his MOTHER. Bob's his real name. You know that, dear,

Yeah, but.. says Sweezus... anyway, I came back to get Nietzsche.

Me? says Nietzsche. What do you think I can do?

Help us find him, says Sweezus. Any more boards in the van?

Yes, of course, dear, I'll just get one, says Lauren.

Off she goes, stumbling over Ageless who is still upended.

Help me! says Ageless.

Sweezus turns him over and sets him upright.

So, says Ageless, the Catcher has carked it. What a terrible shame that is.

Don't worry, says Sweezus. We'll find him.

Click-click...will you? says Ageless. Then I'm coming with you.

Good man, says Sweezus.

Does that mean I don't have to, says Nietzsche. If he is?

No it doesn't, says Sweezus. But hey, you can't paddle out there in chinos. Wanna take 'em off?

I can't possibly, says Nietzsche. There are people about, and my underwear....

Lauren comes back with Bob's third best surfboard and a large pair of board shorts.

Put these on, says Lauren.

Where? asks Nietzsche.

Here, says Lauren. Do you want me to hold up a towel?

Thank you, Lauren, says Nietzsche.

Yes, he has decided to do it! In his mind he is already there, out on the water, halfway over the tightrope....living dangerously, dancing on the slopes of the volcano....

Lauren holds up a towel.

Nietzsche takes off his pants.

Scheise! Thank Providence for the towel! These underpants haven't seen a laundry for weeks....
Now for the shorts.....

Okay behind there? Do they fit you? asks Lauren.

She is itching to see.

Yes they are fitting, says Nietzsche. Is it normal that one side is not the same as the other?

Yes yes, quite normal. says Lauren. It's the fashion. They're Bob's new Billabongs, but I'm sure he won't mind.

She lowers the towel, as though accidentally, while in the process of talking.

Ooh! Sorry.

Nietzsche hitches the Billabong's up a bit higher, and ties up the cord.

He looks fantastic.

At least that's Lauren's opinion.

She waves encouragingly, as Nietzsche, Sweezus and Ageless head back to the water, to rescue the Catcher.

She settles down on her seat. Opens the thermos. Pours herself a Rooibos. Raises her binoculars.

Gazes out to sea.

There they are, getting smaller and smaller, getting closer to Bob, and the rest of his group. Heads down looking into the water.......so tiny... they look like seabirds searching for food.....

.......but what's that dark lumpy object, heaving up just beyond them?