The Scientists' Dinner

What time is it? asks the crocodile.

Not midday yet, says Arthur. Your delivery's coming.

You know that for certain? asks the crocodile. Because if it isn't, all poetry's off.

.......

This is scary.

What if Arthur gets eaten?

Let's see where the delivery has got to.

.......

Terence goes slowly past trees.

Speed up, little buddy, says Sweezus.

I'm looking for parrots, says Terence.

I'll look for them, says Gloria. I'm best placed to.

She flits up and darts through the stringbarks and red gums.

She flits down again.

Nothing doing, except for a Wompoo fruit dove, says Gloria. And it flew away.

Keep looking, says Terence.

Not too hard, says Sweezus.

Gloria winks.

Now Terence, says Gloria. I want you to think about your drawing. We'll be getting there soon. Sweezus will be meeting the crocodile. It's a moment fraught with danger, especially if it's in the afternoon.

Good! says Terence. I'll draw him running away, dropping flip flops.

Let's hope that will not happen, says Gloria. I suggest you think of other scenarios, so that you will be ready for any eventuality. Did you bring a pencil?

No, says Terence.

I've got a pen, says Sweezus. Don't know if it works though. 

Try it now, says Gloria. We don't want to be caught scribbling madly to get the ink running while dealing with an unpredictable crocodile.

Sweezus gets a pen out. It's one he once thought was funny.

For goodness sake, says Gloria. How much did you pay for that silly frog pen?

I was given it, says Sweezus.

He scribbles on the side of a shoe box. It works!

He hands it to Terence.

Terence is delighted. If you press a button the frog will throw punches. Boof! Boof!

.......

This is tense. Will they arrive after midday?

.....

And what of Gaius and Humboldt?

They were out when Terence and Gloria returned from the clay deposits.

Where were they?

They had gone to the shops.

Tired of plums and apples they had decided to splash out on two frozen dinners from Woolworths.

They have just returned to the cabin, with two Butter Chicken dinners.

Gaius places them in the freezer.

I look forward to dinner, says Humboldt.

As do I, says Gaius. Now, what's this in the freezer? It wasn't there earlier.

Let me see, says Humboldt.

The scientists regard the red object.