A Harmonious System

That was exhilarating, says Humboldt.

We saw you, says Sweezus. You sure you never surfed before?

Absolutely, says Humboldt. I would have remembered. In fact, I was given some pointers by that young woman paddling out over there.

Good on her, says Sweezus. But we've got a problem.

Arthur is bleeding from the knee. The blood is dripping down both sides of his leg and forming a puddle.

He watches it grow.

You got a bandage? asks Sweezus.

Only a wet one, says Arthur.

He turns out his pockets. A dirty wet bandage. A knife. A sodden lump of tánta wawa.

Perfect, says Humboldt. Place the damp bread on the gash. Hold it there. I'll wrap the bandage.

Arthur presses the bread down. Probably Humboldt knows that bread contains disinfectant. Or yeast has a calmative effect. Or something. Whatever. Arthur is inclined to go with the treatment.

Humboldt wraps the dirty bandage round Arthur's knee.

Knife, says Humboldt.

Arthur hands him the knife. Humboldt cuts the bandage. It was too long.

But now it's too short to tie the ends off.

Just when everyone was thinking that Humboldt was excellent at everything.

Sorry, says Humboldt.

A sudden thought strikes Sweezus.

Where's the Sea Salt?

Other pocket, says Arthur. He pulls out the plastic bag containing the Sea Salt.

Six eyes stare at the Sea Salt, assessing the damage.

The Sea Salt has formed into lumps.

You need to spread it out to dry, says Humboldt. And test the packaging. Here, I'll do it.

It'll blow away, says Sweezus.

Not if I do it properly, says Humboldt. First, I'll dry out this strip of bandage, then I'll spread the salt on it. It won't blow away if I fold the bandage strategically.

Sweezus and Arthur watch him spread the bandage in a sunny position and pin down each end with small rocks.

Now we wait, says Humboldt. Let the sun do its work. Is not the cosmos a beautiful and harmonious system?

Yeah, says Sweezus. How long will it take?

Half an hour should do it, says Humboldt.

Mind if I take off ? says Sweezus. The waves out there are massive.

Go, says Arthur. I'll watch the cosmos unfolding.

Sweezus paddles out.

Humboldt pokes the plastic.

How will you test it? asks Arthur.

Blow into it, says Humboldt. When it's empty.

You could blow into it now, says Arthur. Those lumps aren't going anywhere.

You wish to save time? asks Humboldt.

I just want something to do, says Arthur.

Go ahead then, blow into it, says Humboldt. Don't let me stop you.

Arthur unties the plastic bag and blows into it.

The Sea Salt has not been paying attention.

The Sea Salt has been self obsessed.

Why this lumpish condition?

Will it persist?

BLOW! (courtesy of Arthur)

The Sea Salt is zapped! Every grain becomes detached from every other. The entire plastic bag's inner surface is covered with grains trying to escape their cosmic condition.

Inadvisedly, Arthur keeps blowing.

Pop!

Oh.

Not all of the Sea Salt lands in an ideal location.