Dark And Roomy

Sweezus and Terence go back to the office.

Belle isn't there.

Gaius is looking at his ipad.

Where's Arthur? asks Sweezus.

Look at this one, says Gaius.

What is it? asks Sweezus.

Maratus cristatus, says Gaius. Observe the Union Jack pattern.

Cool, says Sweezus. That one of those peacock spiders?

It is indeed, says Gaius. Fascinating little creatures. Look Terence,

But Terence has found some more fliers, and is trying out a new way of folding them to look more like spades.

Ready for tonight? asks Sweezus.

What? Yes, says Gaius.

Checked out the venue? asks Sweezus.

No, says Gaius. Do I need to?

Yeah, says Sweezus. Everyone else has.

Gaius is suddenly anxious.

He has not seen the venue. He has no idea of the area and depth of the hole. It's one thing to practise pratfalls in the office, but there may be practical problems.

He visualises Nobby, who inhabited the hole.

The hole will obviously be larger than Nobby. But by how much? He could kick himself, for not knowing the answer.

I'll get down there now, says Gaius.

Good one, says Sweezus. And while you're there could you check out the seating?

Seating? says Gaius.

Don't worry if there's not too much space, says Sweezus. We've only sold twenty tickets.

That's grim, says Gaius. Got any more fliers?

Yes, says Terence, We've got these ones.

What have you done to them? says Gaius.

What do they look like? asks Terence.

Aeroplanes, says Gaius. That's very wasteful. Give them to me.

He takes the fliers and tries to flatten them out, with partial success.

You've wrecked them, says Terence.

Can I give them out in this condition? he asks Sweezus.

Yeah, go for it, says Sweezus. Wait! Can Terence go with you?

No, says Gaius.

He goes downstairs with his cushion.

He intends to tie it on once he's down in the sink hole, and practise his tripping.

Twenty minutes later he arrives at the Botanic Gardens corner.

Celia and Saint Roley are perched on the fence, side by side.

Elodie is sitting on a rock, with the guitar, strumming the orange song.

Nobby is drowsing.

Elodie, says Gaius. What beautiful playing. I've just dropped by to see how big our hole is.

Jump in, says Elodie. It's bigger than it looks.

Gaius peers into the sink hole.

It's dark and surprisingly roomy.

We've been working on it, says Elodie. Me and Arthur.

Arthur's head appears, his black whiskers unruly.

He's been digging, with one of the spades.

Gaius always knew Arthur was reliable, but this is surprising.