Stage five. Glenelg to Strathalbyn. For once, a nice day.
A nice day on which bad things will happen.
First bad thing:
Terence is watching the start in Glenelg.
He is wearing steampunk glasses. But not the top hat.
Belle has made him wear a stupid sun hat.
He glowers at the riders, through the glasses.
Never mind says Celia. At least you won't get sunstroke.
I CAN'T get sunstroke, says Terence.
Second bad thing:
Terence turns quickly. Celia is on his shoulder.
The glasses are big. They knock Celia off.
Aww! says a person. That parrot's been injured. Let me take it.
No! cries Terence.
Too late. Celia is taken away to the first aid tent.
Third bad thing:
Richie is stuck.
Sorry though I am to be missing you.
You are probably fishing.
What should come after that?
Pablo rides past him, and slows.
How goes the new poem? asks Pablo,.
Gotta finish it today, says Richie. It's Willunga Hill tomorrow.
I know, says Pablo. We too have something to finish. Perhaps you can help us.
What's the problem? asks Richie.
What is your moral position on the killing of snails?
Damn! Richie has enough problems without thinking of moral positions of that nature.
He answers too quickly.
It's wrong to kill snails.
So you are on the side of Vello, says Pablo. Vello thinks we should plant dandelion greens in a corner of the garden. This he thinks will keep the snails from our candied fruits and pistachios.
Far out! shouts Richie. Snails don't eat candied fruits and pistachios!
You know this? asks Pablo.
I'm from Tassie! says Richie.
I'll pass it on, says Pablo, speeding up.
Richie is fuming. He should have asked for help with his next line from Pablo, a serious poet.
Fourth bad thing:
Gaius has a puncture, and loses thirty valuable seconds.
Fifth bad thing.
Patrick Bevan crashes.
No bones broken. He gets back in the race. But may not ride tomorrow.
Sixth bad thing:
Caleb Ewan wins, then he doesn't.
One good thing:
Celia recovers, flies out of the first aid tent, up, up, and all the way to the finish.
Seeing everything.
Oh yes, says Celia. I saw everything. Ewan was on the wheel of Sagan. Philipsen tried to move in. Some head movements occurred that should not have. Mind you, this happens. I myself was knocked unconscious, earlier, by Terence. Anyway it was spotted. Ewan came first and Philipsen came second. Later Ewan was relegated which means Philipsen came first and Sagan came second, and in third place was Danny van Poppel.......
All right Celia. You may stop now. Thanks for clearing that up.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment