The Mathematics of Departure

Gaius has been making phone calls.

He has not heard the poems.

Your turn, says Terence.

To do what? asks Gaius.

Make a poem, says Terence.

No time, says Gaius. We depart for Adelaide tomorrow.

That's tomorrow, says Terence. WE all made one.

That's more Arthur's field, says Gaius. I have good news by the way. Arthur may join us in Tasmania.

Don't you know how to do a poem? persists Terence.

Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori, says Gaius. Although I disagree with the sentiments.

P. krameri, Mouldy and Terence look at one another.

If they could raise their eyebrows they would.

Why make a poem you disagree with?

Isidore comes in, with two documents.

Parrot passports, says Isidore. No trouble at all.

Excellent, says Gaius. We depart tomorrow for Adelaide, sort out a few things, then off to Tasmania to help save the orange bellied parrot and the forty spotted pardalote from extinction.

I envy you, say Isidore.

Why not come with us? says Gaius.

Yes, says P. krameri. Why not come with us?

Perhaps you are unaware how pleased I will be to be rid of you, says Isidore.

Indeed, P. krameri was unaware of the extent of his feelings.

You attacked my tomatoes, says Isidore.

A parakeet has to eat, says P. krameri.

You will find no tomatoes in my vicinity, says Gaius. Poisonous fruits that they are.

Squawk! says P. krameri.

Nonsense, says Isidore. They are perfectly edible.

Your turn to make up a poem, says Terence.

Me? says Isidore. My hobby is mathematics.

Gaius made a rubbish one, says Terence. Want to hear it?

No, he doesn't, says Gaius.

I do, says Isidore, smiling.

But Gaius won't repeat it. Too embarrassing. And not his own work.

Dulky-dorum-morum-bolorum, says Terence.

Luckily, Isidore doesn't make the connection.

All right, says Isidore. I'll have a go, and since you're all leaving tomorrow, you'll all be in it.

He jots down a few notes, because of the expected complexity.

The Mathematics of Departure  (begins Isidore)

From the set of all visitors [ 1. 2. 3. 4.]
Remove the subset of all humans [ 1.]
Gaius is gone
[2.3.4.]

From the set of all visitors [2.3.4.]
Remove the subset of all cement infants [2.]
Terence is gone
[3.4.]

From the set of all visitors [3.4.]
Remove the subset of all parakeets [3.]
P. kameri is gone
[4.]

From the set of all visitors [4.]
Remove the subset of all pebbles [4.]
Mouldy is gone.
[0]

I say, says Gaius. Mathematical poetry, That's impressive.

Not really, says Isidore. I had to sacrifice the purity of the mathematics for the general poetic structure.

Yes, well done, says Gaius.