Sweet Oblivion

It's dark in the compost bin.

This is the end of me, says the Red Parrot Potato. No hope of renewal.

The rosemary is pungent but silent.

The vine cuttings have already shut down.

The gai choi speaks, although it is wilting:

Ni yao bu yao gen wo tiaowu?

Chinese!

What could it be saying?

The Red Parrot Potato does not know Chinese.

With his last brain sparks he imagines what it might be, based on their mutual circumstances.

To be compost is noble?

Yesss, sighs the Red Parrot Potato, exhaling his last noxious fumes.

The gai choi trembles. Her dying leaves stretch forth to embrace the Red Parrot Potato.

He feels it. Ahh! A lovely tickle.

What does it matter that he did not know she was asking: Would you like to dance with me?

Which is even more beautiful.

Ai!

Let's go back inside.

Arthur and Sweezus get off the bus and cross the road to Gaius's house.

They enter.

Gaius is packing.

Terence runs up to Sweezus.

My potato DIED!

Bad luck, little buddy, says Sweezus. Did you plant it? It might have sprouted.

It was cooked, says Gaius. It would never have sprouted. It's in the green bin. Arthur, I need you to book our flights to Sydney. Pick the cheapest.

Okay, says Arthur. Give me your credit card.

Arthur can't be bothered to do any research. He books tickets for Gaius, himself and Sweezus.

Done, says Arthur.

What's the damage? asks Gaius.

Seven hundred, says Arthur.

Astonishing, says Gaius. You boys can pay me back later.

Yeah, says Sweezus. When our profits come in. You got any hessian you don't want?

Look in the shed, says Gaius. But watch out for red-backs!

Red-backs! The Growling Grass Frog hops out to the shed behind Sweezus.

The red-backs don't know what's coming.

Ai-ee!