The Interplay Of Spaces

Gaius wants to make an early start .

After a breakfast of cold smoked trout and water, the campers start packing.

Elodie gathers up the empty smoked goods containers, the empty date ball packet, the empty rolled wafer tin and a red pencil.

Whose is this red pencil?

Mine! says Gaius. Well done, Elodie. I was beginning to think that I'd lost it.

He shoves it into his shorts pocket.

All done are we? Except for the poncho. Arthur, will you fold it up?

Arthur wonders why he is the one asked to fold up the poncho.

Answer: It's because of the pencil. Gaius's thinking goes: Red pencil...yes....always rely on Arthur....to produce whatever's needed....good lad.....haven't rewarded him lately... give him a job...show him I value him....poncho needs folding....yes.

Arthur would be surprised by this thinking.

Not least because he did not produce the red pencil.

Not this time and not earlier.

It was Raoul's.

Nevertheless, Arthur picks up the poncho, and starts folding.

Lavender is watching.

She likes the interplay of spaces and folds.

About time! says First Dirty. About TIME! says Second Dirty.

Were you guys under there all the time? asks Lavender.

Not ALL the time, says First Dirty. Just since you gave our smashed baked bean to Felix.

Yeah, says Second Dirty. Just all the time that went by after that.

That was yesterday afternoon and last night, says Lavender. Heaps has happened. Felix has died.

He shouldn't have eaten it, says First Dirty.

He died on the bike track, says Lavender. Not of eating your stupid bean but of careless human footwork.

The Dirties are silent.

They know about careless human footwork.

Anyway, says Lavender, we're all going home now.

Good, say the Dirties. Can we be dropped off at Lake Clifton?

Sure, says Lavender.

Everyone ready? says Gaius. Who's going in which vehicle? I'll drive the camper. Where are the keys?

I've got them, says Arthur. David left them with me.

David! Did he? says Gaius. Where is he? Has he fallen into Lake Jasper?

No, says Arthur. We left him in Pemberton yesterday. He said he'd done enough camping.

How remiss of me not to notice, says Gaius. Right, so who's coming with me?

I will, says Elodie. And Lavender. Baby Pierre can go with Arthur and Sprocket in the HiLux.

Shu hopes that Arthur will insist on him travelling in the HiLux with them.

But Arthur doesn't.

Shu must go in the Hilux , says Gaius. He has Ar-Lu-Lun in his care. The HiLux is better sprung, so it will be safer.

And the Dirties?

Who cares about them?