The Message Of The Drums

Some time elapses before Ageless thinks to ask the faint outline of Hello Kitty what her real name is.

What is your real name? asks Ageless.

Faint Outline, replies the faint outline.

Hardly worth asking, observes the Catcher.

But you did ask, says Faint Outline.

We're at the Barrage, says the Catcher. Can you see anything?

No, says Faint Outline. Would you like to know why?

We're not busy, says Ageless.

Because I face inwards, says Faint Outline. You may think I'm just a faint outline of Hello Kitty....

Hence your name, says the Catcher.

But I'm independent, says Faint Outline.

You look alike, says Ageless.

True, says Faint Outline. Her height is five apples. So is mine. Her weight is three apples.

So is yours, says the Catcher.

No, it isn't, says Faint Outline. And I'm not bright and kind hearted, and I don't like apple pie. Nor do I like to collect things.

What do you like? asks Ageless.

Yes, what do you like? asks the Catcher.

Drums, says Faint Outline.

What made her say that?

Perhaps the faint drumming on the outside of the Hello Kitty back pack.

It's Nietzsche's foot. He is becoming impatient. It's taking a long time to pass through the Barrage.

Toot! At last. The Spirit of the Coorong passes through the lock and makes its way to the Mouth of the Murray.

Nietzsche's tummy is grumbling.

Reg hears it.

I wonder when lunch is? says Reg.

Probably when we get to the Coorong, says Irma. That's ages. I've got some snacks in my back pack.

You've got Ageless and the Catcher in your back pack, says Emma. And they smell bad.

Irma opens the back pack.

A crustaceous smell wafts out.

She reaches into the bottom of the back pack.

Yes. A Tupperware container. She draws it out.

Opens the Tupperware container.

Inside are sultanas, which don't smell the least bit crustaceous, because Tupperware is reliable.