Other Than That He Is Perfect

Shit, says Sweezus.

What? asks Nietzsche.

(They are still in Marino).

Arthur's gone to Victoria with Gaius, says Sweezus. And we need to practice.

Has he gone by bicycle? asks Nietzsche. If he has, he'll be getting plenty of practice.

True, says Sweezus. But Belle reckons he didn't want to go.

We sometimes have to do things we don't want to, says Nietzsche.

Not Arthur, says Sweezus.

What's this Baw Baw they're going for? asks Nietzsche. A frog, is it?

The Catcher rises minimally from the open back pack.

What's this? They've left to search for the Baw Baw?

Yeah I know, says Sweezus. You were meant to be going. I feel bad now.

Woe! says the Catcher. I would have been excellent at catching a Baw Baw.

He sinks down into the fig poo at the base of the back pack.

Ageless is heard to say: Remember, brother, winter is coming. You wouldn't want to go to Victoria

Nietzsche looks up. The sky has a wintry look, pale blue, laced with bare branches.

Ageless is right. Winter is coming.

Come on, says Sweezus. He starts pedalling faster than ever, towards Adelaide.

Nietzsche follows. Thank goodness his surf rash is better.

Correction, thanks to Lauren........

......

Sweezus heads straight for the Velosophy office.

Nietzsche lags a few metres behind him.

For a perfectly good reason. He hasn't yet written the article he promised.

Luckily, only Belle is in the office.

Belle! says Sweezus. I'm back!

Lovely, says Belle. Would you like a cup of tea and a biscuit? What about you, Mr Nietzsche?

Water is fine, says Nietzsche.

When did they leave? asks Sweezus.

Arthur and Gaius? Last night, says Belle. Silly boys. It was raining.

On bicycles? asks Nietzsche.

Yes, says Belle. It's madness. Sweezie, what's that down your top?

Sweezus puts his hand down the front of his tee shirt and brings out the Elegant Parrot.

Ahh, says Belle. Is that Terence's present?

The Elegant Parrot looks dazed. Her olive gold and blue feathers are ruffled. There is fig poo on her bottom. But no signs of haemolytic anaemia.

Hello, pretty lady, says the Elegant Parrot. I could do with a biscuit. What kind are they? No....let me guess. Perhaps you made them yourself in a pre-dawn rush of baking enthusiasm. Never happens to me, I can't cook for toffee but you look like a domestic goddess if ever......

Sweezus squeezes the Elegant Parrot by the throat tightly. Shut up.

She's imaginative, says Sweezus. Sorry. Where's Terence?

Katherine took him to the toilet, says Belle. They'll be here in a minute.

Sure enough, there is a clatter on the stairs. The door opens and:

Terence beholds the Elegant Parrot. Bliss!

The Elegant Parrot beholds him.

His face is not blue like an Indian god, but other than that he is PERFECT!