Shape Shifting

It's now just a short drive to Adelaide.

Arthur drops Gaius at home, and follows Sweezus to Katherine's.

Sweezus parks the car in the driveway, and knocks on Katherine's door.

Hi Katherine. Brought your car back.

Thank you, dear, says Katherine. How is Gaius?

Okay. Why wouldn't he be? asks Sweezus.

I left him rather abruptly, says Katherine, and then Margaret had that little mishap.

He's moving on, says Sweezus. Going to Ecuador.

Newcastle, says Katherine.

Not according to the Sea Salt, says Sweezus.

Sea Salt? says Katherine.

From the sea, says Sweezus.

Obviously, says Katherine, but how can it have an opinion?

Would you like to try some? asks Sweezus. It's new. Not even on the market. We have to get bags printed and stuff.

I'll try it, says Katherine. Although I don't normally use it.

You sprinkle it and see what letter it forms, says Sweezus.

What fun, says Katherine. I remember doing that with the peel of an apple. You peeled the apple, then threw the peel over your shoulder and the apple peel gave you the first letter of the name of the person you would marry. It was always a C. No wait, an S, a J sometimes. But it was certainly limited.....

This is salt, says Sweezus. It can do any letter. Or the shape of a country.

How exciting, says Katherine. I shall have some. How much are you asking for a sprinkle?

Sweezus hesitates. It's not in a hessian bag yet. It's in a old plastic bag from the sea.

For you.... says Sweezus, still hesitating.

Be bold! says Katherine. How much?

Arthur is sick of waiting for Sweezus. He comes up.

Fifty dollars, says Arthur.

That's a bit excessive, says Katherine.

We brought your car back, says Arthur.

Good heavens, says Katherine. What have I been thinking? Have a hundred. Did you have to buy petrol?

Yes, says Arthur.

And another fifty, says Katherine. Wait here and I'll get it, and something to put the salt in.

She goes inside, and comes back with the money and an egg cup.

Sweezus takes the cash and pours a tiny amount of Prognosticating Sea Salt into the egg cup.

She takes a pinch, and sprinkles it onto the back of her hand. It forms a salt heap.

She shakes it onto the floor.

The salt is uncooperative.

She moves it aside with her shoe.

That's a J, says Arthur.

Katherine looks down. The sweep of her foot has rearranged the salt into the shape of a J, the first initial of Joseph Hume, her dead husband.

Joseph! says Katherine. Or Italy.

Or a fish hook.