Not After The Incident

The next morning, after breakfast, Sweezus and Nietzsche are ready to leave Port Noarlunga.

Thank you for everything, Lauren, says Nietzsche. I shall always remember....

I will too, Friedy, says Lauren. And here's a little memento.

She hands him a delicately woven string and bead bracelet.

A friendship bracelet, from her gift shop, on Beach Road.

I make them myself, says Lauren.

Very nice, says Nietzsche, shoving it into his pocket.

No, Friedy, says Lauren. You must put it on.

She ties it on for him.

I'm afraid I have nothing to give you, says Nietzsche. Except, perhaps, would you value this tissue?

Tissue? says Lauren. I don't know. What was it used for?

He hands her the tissue on which he had scribbled his thoughts on pessimism and its opposite ideal.

It is ripped where he pressed hard with the pen, and contains various dots and expletives.

She looks undecided.

Give her the carapace hat, suggests Sweezus.

Brilliant!

He takes from his pocket the carapace hat, and presents it to Lauren.

Oh, Friedy, sniffs Lauren. I WILL treasure this carapace hat, once it's been disinfected.

Ready to go? asks Sweezus.

Yes, says Nietzsche.

He picks up the back pack which is strangely heavy, and still.

Surfing-With-Whales is outside, sanding his surfboard.

Going? says Surfing-With-Whales.

Yep, says Sweezus. See you, bro. Hey by the way, you got a start in the TDF this year?

Nup, says Surfing-With-Whales. Nibali doesn't want me.

Too bad, says Sweezus. There's always a place in Team Condor.

Thanks mate, says Surfing-With-Whales. Oh yeah, mum gave me this to give you. Don't take it the wrong way. Wasn't my idea. Ditch it if you want to.

He hands him a brown paper package.

Thanks dude, says Sweezus. What is it, the boardies?

Reckon, says Surfing-With-Whales. She washed 'em.

Cool, says Sweezus. I'm totally into recycling.

Onya bro, says Surfing-With-Whales.

He was never going to wear those Melted Lo Tides again in his lifetime. Not after the Incident.

Bye guys! calls Lauren, blowing a kiss towards Nietzsche.

Nietzsche waves back. Goodbye to the best thing that has happened to him for ages.

Sweezus and Nietzsche pedal up the road towards Old Noarlunga, to access the Coast to Vines cycle trail.

Want me to take Ageless, or the Catcher? asks Sweezus, seeing the back pack on Nietzsche's back bouncing heavily.

Nietzsche stops. Yes please. Either one. Or maybe the Parrot.

Sweezus comes up alongside, unzips the top of the back pack. And is met by a shocking surprise.

The Elegant Parrot is lying stiff on the bottom, eyes wide open.

Ageless and the Catcher are taking turns at performing CPR.

At LAST, says Ageless. Somebody thinks to check on the wildlife.

What's up? asks Sweezus.

Probably all in her head, says Ageless.

Haemolytic anaemia, says the Elegant Parrot, in a stronger voice than might be expected.