Quiche And Chocolate

Back in Adelaide, David has invited Shu and Arthur to dinner at his house.

Welcome, boys, says David. I'm making a quiche.

It smells nice, says Shu.

Arthur sniffs. It smells eggy. And vegetabley. But not bacony.

Vegetarian, says David. No reason, I just haven't been to the shops.

David potters about getting plates out.

The quiche is ready. He takes it out of the oven and sets it on the table.

Arthur and Shu watch it collapsing and shrinking away from the sides of the quiche dish.

David sits down.

Too hot to eat yet, says David. Care for a chocolate?

This might seem inappropriate, until you remember it's just after Easter.

David goes to the pantry and brings back a bright foil-wrapped rabbit.

I didn't want this, says David. It was mother. She can't help herself.

I'll have some, says Arthur.

David unwraps the rabbit, and whacks it with a knife.

Who wants this bit?

It's a big bit, with ears. Arthur takes it.

They eat chocolate, while the quiche grows ever smaller.

Did either of you get a message from Gaius? asks David.

Haven't looked, says Arthur. He looks.

What's a jasper?

A precious stone, says Shu. And I too have a message. It's very specific. It asks me to meet Baby Pierre on the boardwalk at the third thrombolite at Lake Clifton on Thursday morning and bring a container.

A container, says David. Does he say what size container?

No, says Shu. And what's a thrombolite?

No idea, says David. Sounds like a blood clot. My message says Baby Pierre is stranded.

With three friends who are possibly jaspers, says Arthur.

So we have the full picture, says David.

Not really, says Shu. Where is Lake Clifton? How do we get there?

The quiche has stopped shrinking, but is now changing colour. The yellow has faded to beige. Wrinkled slices of zucchini are becoming apparent.

David is searching his book case for the Road Atlas of Australia.

He finds it.

How old is that Atlas? asks Arthur.

Circa nineteen eighty says David. But these places don't change much. He flicks through it.

Ah, here. It's thirty five kilometres south of Mandurah.

And Baby Pierre is stranded there, says Shu.

With three jaspers, says Arthur. Or possibly Jaspers.

With a capital J, says David. You may be right. They may be three chaps with the surname of Jasper.

In which case we'll need a big container, says Shu.

A camper, says David. I'll hire a camper!

He has wanted all along to hire a camper. This is the perfect excuse.

Do try my quiche, says David, picking up the knife. It's cool now.

What's that? asks Arthur pointing to a red chunk sticking out of his slice.

Red capsicum, says David. And the green is green capsicum. And the yellow is pumpkin. The transparent strips with purple edges are red onion....

And that? asks Shu.

Chocolate, says David. Apologies. I should have washed the knife.

But in fact, it tastes better with chocolate.