The Female Psyche

Welcome to Weipa Airport, operated by Rio Tinto.

Gaius, Terence, Ageless and Pinky find a seat in the terminal building.

Wait here, says Gaius. I'll enquire about bikes.

He goes over to enquire at the counter.

How long will Kobo be? asks Pinky.

About this long, says Ageless, opening his pincers.

Very funny.

A Gypsy Moth appears in the distance, getting closer.

It lands at the far end of the runway.

O! says Pinky That's them!

Bloody Tom McDonald! Get him out of there! crackles the loudspeaker.

A vehicle speeds to the far end of the runway, raising red dust.

The vehicle speeds back towards the terminal, through the red dust.

When the red dust clears, the Gypsy Moth has vanished.

Humboldt is escorted into the terminal.

You're good to go, says the driver.

Thank you, says Humboldt. That was exciting. Now, where are my companions?

He spots Gaius at the counter.

Ah! Humboldt! says Gaius. How was the joyride?

Informative, says Humboldt. We swooped low.

Kobo enjoy it? asks Gaius.

She has been remarkably quiet since observing the RangerBot, says Humboldt.

Has she, indeed? says Gaius. Who understands the female psyche? Now, we can hire bikes in the town. But the town is four kilometres from the airport.

No worries, says the man behind the counter. You can get a lift in. I'll fix it. Everyone's helpful in Weipa.

Humboldt and Gaius head back to the seat where Terence, Ageless and Pinky are waiting.

Where is she! demands Pinky.

Here she is, says Humboldt, pulling Kobo out of his pocket.

Kobo comes face to face with Pinky.

She can't fail to notice three things.

1. Pinky now has a down curving bill like the bill of a whimbrel.

2. It appears to be the work of an amateur, as it has been drawn sideways.

3. Pinky is waiting for her reaction.

My love! says Kobo. You are transformed into something resembling a Picasso!

Ageless was not expecting this reaction. Nor was Terence.

What is a Picasso? asks Pinky.

There are many Picassos, says Kobo. But you remind me of Dora Maar Seated. In that painting, Dora Maar has two noses, one semi-frontal and one in profile, and her pink fingers with their bright red fingernails thrust upwards like erotic bromeliads.

This is good news for Pinky.

Who needs a lift into town? asks a ranger-looking person. I'm just heading there now.

We do, says Gaius.

Truck's out there, says the ranger. Hop in.