Bird Of The Year

Unni has changed.

Her legs are longer, or appear so. Her hair is bright blue.

On her back is a back pack with a magpie's head peering out.

The magpie looks like a bird that has just won the lottery.

Unni! says Belle, embracing her friend. You look gorgeous.

Manic Panic, says Unni.

Yeah, what's Manic Panic? asks Sweezus.

This colour, says Unni patting her hair. It's actually turquoise. Oh wow! Hello Terence! No parrot?

Terence knows he has no parrot.

Stupid Unni.

But maybe she's brought him a present. A black and white magpie parrot. He waits hopefully.

Unni is attempting to throw her arms around Arthur. Arthur is backing away.

Same old Arthur, says Unni. Scabs and all.

Can't say the same about you, says Arthur.

You mean this magpie? says Unni. It's my pet magpie. She takes off her back pack and sets it down.

The magpie hops out and struts about. A crowd gathers.

Congratulations! says a man in a Vans tee shirt.

A well deserved win, says a woman in a pork pie straw hat.

I voted for the ibis, says a teenager with ripped shorts on.

Quardle oodle ardle! says Unni's magpie.

Won Australian Bird of the Year. We just heard this morning, says Unni. He's up himself now.

Terence squats to see where the magpie is up himself.

We're out of the loop, says Belle. Didn't even know there was a competition.

Yeah, there was, says Unni. Online voting. Magpie won. Not this one, the species, but you can't tell him that.

Unni's magpie beams beatifically and performs a few dance steps.

Wicked, says Sweezus. So what are you doing in Redfern?

This and that, says Unni. Disruptive technology mainly. I've developed this decision making dice app.

Cool, says Sweezus. How's that work?

It uses six different perspectives, says Unni. Helps you to make a decision. But you guys look wiped. Why don't you come back to my place?

Okay, says Belle. Okay guys?

Yeah, says Sweezus. Arthur?

Sure, says Arthur.

Terence can't wait any longer.

Is this my present? asks Terence.

Unni's magpie's eyes turn cruel and glassy. Unni says no.

But, says Unni, there's a really cool surprise back at my place.

What? What? cries Terence.

She bends and whispers something to Terence.

But it's noisy in the International Terminal, and he doesn't hear it.