The Golden Tortoise

Sweezus has walked back to meet Gaius and Humboldt.

Whoa! says Sweezus. Lucky you're here.

Is Arthur with you? asks Gaius.

Yeah, says Sweezus. But the croc's getting toey.

Then it's fortunate we've brought extra flip flops, says Humboldt.

Awesome, says Sweezus. What sizes?

Does it matter? asks Gaius. We just chose them at random.

It matters, says Sweezus.

As they talk they keep walking.

What's Terence doing? asks Gaius. He appears to be poking the crocodile with a pencil.

Shit! says Sweezus. It's a pen. Why doesn't Arthur stop him?

He sprints for the riverbank, where the crocodile is showing signs of amusement.

Terence is demonstrating the frog pen. Boof! Boof!

I saw you sprinting, says Arthur. But it's not what it looks like.

No, it's not, says Gloria. Kambel loves the pen. He wishes to order a box full.

Punching frog pens, says Arthur. Just when we've brought all these Crocs.

Yeah, but Gaius and Humboldt've brought extra flip flops, says Sweezus.

The crocodile stops toying with the frog pen.

He draws himself up.

And what are flip flops?

Sweezus is about to explain, but before he can say that flip flips are no good in the water, Arthur says:

Footwear, worn only by Knights of the Golden Tortoise.

Hmmm, muses the crocodile. I have long wished to be one of those.

He considers.

Do you have any size nine or twelves? he asks. Or both preferably?

The beauty of flip flops , says Arthur, is size doesn't matter.

Gaius and Humboldt arrive at the log on which Arthur is sitting.

Arthur! says Gaius Your knee is bleeding!

The Way never acts, says Arthur, but nothing is left undone.

Nonsense, says Gaius. Do you have a bandage?

No, says Arthur.

I have one, says Humboldt. It's a handkerchief, but a clean one.

He draws it out of his pocket.

It is stained with red clay.

Damn this red pot! says Humboldt. I should never have brought it.

Wah! cries Terence recognising the clay, but not the artwork.