Really Lost

They are not far from Penguin.

Terence and Jinjing have not yet come up with a joke.

I have one, says Katherine. What do penguins have for lunch?

I have one too, says Margaret. Where do penguins go to dance?

I don't know, says Terence.

Icebergers, says Katherine.

A snow ball, says Margaret.

Which is the right answer? asks Terence.

What do you think? asks Katherine.

They might eat a snowball, says Jinjing. But aren't jokes supposed to be funny?

YES! says Terence. That's why we didn't ask THEM.

Only trying to help, says Margaret. Look, here we are in Penguin. Where are these friends of yours?

On the side of the road, says Terence. Keep going.

Margaret slows down.

There! cries Terence. Stop! There's Baby Bin Penguin!

Margaret stops. Katherine gets out and opens the back door for Terence.

Terence gets out. So does Jinjing.

I'll just see if it's all right for them to stay with the Bin Penguins for a couple of hours, says Katherine.

Terence runs up to Baby Bin Penguin.

Hello! It's me! Terence!

Woah! says Baby Bin Penguin. I KNEW you'd come back one day! Are you staying?

No, says Terence. I'm dropped off for two hours. This is my parrot, Jinjing.

Hi! says Baby Bin Penguin.

Where are your parents? asks Katherine.

Away, being refurbished, says Baby Bin Penguin.

That's unfortunate, says Katherine. Still I suppose you're responsible, even though you're a baby. How long have you been here?

Years and years, says Baby Bin Penguin.

Good, says Katherine. Is it okay if we come back for Terence and Jinjing in two hours, or perhaps a bit longer?

It's okay, says Baby Bin Penguin.

Yay! says Terence. Let's tell jokes!

Bye now, says Katherine. Don't wander off. We'll expect to meet you right here at two o'clock. Got it?

Got it, says Terence.

Katherine gets in the car. Margaret starts up the engine. They drive off, towards Burnie.

What do you call a snow ball? asks Terence.

Ahem, says Jinjing. Wrong question.

I know that one, says Baby Bin Penguin. A penguin dance. What do you call fifty penguins at the North Pole?

Fifty penguins, says Terence.

Really lost, says Baby Bin Penguin. No penguins live there.

Ha ha! laughs Jinjing. That's so funny. What would they have for lunch if they WERE there?

Tricky, says Baby Bin Penguin.

Terence, say Jinjing, tell him the answer.

What is it? asks Terence.

Lunch, whispers Jinjing. You remember?

Icebergers! says Terence.

Ha ha! laughs Baby Bin Penguin.

Although surely he's heard it before.