Sprocket Swan

Next morning.

Grace Swan is at work in her office.

Buzz!

Grace, some people to see you.

Is there a small pebble on a bicycle with them?

Yes, there is.

Send them through, please.

The door opens. Baby Pierre zooms in.

Followed by Gaius and Elodie.

Good morning, says Grace. I'm glad you decided to come.

Good morning, says Gaius. You have a proposition?

I do, answers Grace. How would Baby Pierre feel about working for me?

Ready, says Baby Pierre.

He's ready, says Gaius. But he only has until Thursday.

I heard you were going to Lake Jasper on Thursday, says Grace.

That's right, says Gaius. We shall be looking for spiders.

Is it a movie? asks Baby Pierre.

No, says Grace. But I guess Sprocket might decide to film it.

Sprocket? says Elodie. Who's Sprocket? An artist?

My son, says Grace. Sprocket Swan. An aspiring artist. Here at PICA we support innovative new art practices, and Sprocket wants to qualify for a Minderoo.

What does he do exactly? asks Elodie.

Nothing, says Grace. That's why I though he might tag along with you people to Lake Jasper and see what eventuates. He's keen as mustard of course. And as a thank you, I'd lend you a vehicle.

Great, says Elodie. Where is Sprocket?

I'll just message him, says Grace. He'll be here in a minute.

This is most kind, says Gaius. What does Baby Pierre have to do though?

Yes, says Baby Pierre. I could pose for a statue. Or do a performance riding through webs.

Save your ideas and run them by Sprocket, says Grace. Shall we have a coffee while we're waiting?

Yes.

Grace orders coffees.

Is it just the three of you? asks Grace.

No, says Gaius. We'll be joined by David Hume, Sikong Shu and my right hand man, Arthur.

A philosopher and two poets, says Elodie.

And my friends, says Baby Pierre. Mouldy, First Dirty and Second Dirty.

Colourful! says Grace.

Don't get your hopes up, says Elodie. They look pretty ordinary after their dip in the pool.

Grumbles and dissent are heard from the depths of Gaius's pocket.

The coffees arrive, carried in by a young man who could be a Swan.

Yes, indeed, it is the said Sprocket.

He plonks the coffees down on Grace's desk.

Howdy. This them?

Yes, Sprocky, says Grace. Gaius, Elodie and Baby Pierre. I think you'll find much to inspire you.

Sprocky looks at the team he's expected to be inspired by.

A man in green crocs and chinos with an active pocket.

A young woman with a confident air.

A pebble with a mysterious marking (a claw? a tulip?) on a tiny bicycle, looking at him strangely.

He envisions a collaboration, resulting in recognition, resulting in an opening into the contemporary art world.

He sees an exhibition, with his name on, sponsored by Minderoo.

All kind of hazy and woolly at this stage.

Let's do this, says Sprocket.

His mother smiles fondly.