Green Flash Whizz

Arthur has finished his banana and bacon breakfast.

Now to get that map from Amanda.

He is just about to stand up when Katherine enters the café.

Still here Arthur? says Katherine. How's the bad knee?

Okay, says Arthur. I climbed a tree with it, no problem.

Really? says Katherine. What tree might that be?

A white gum, says Arthur. I was fixing a broadcasting device to the upper branches.

Don't tell me Gaius has a broadcasting device, says Katherine.

He doesn't, says Arthur. How come you're here?

I've brought Gaius some cheeses, says Katherine. We arranged to meet here.

I was just going, says Arthur.

I'll wait here for Gaius, says Katherine. Take care of your knee.

She says that because she has noticed Arthur's new bandage is smeared with a yellow excrescence.

It could be banana; she would not know.

Arthur leaves, missing Gaius, who turns up the next minute.

Hello Katherine, says Gaius. Kind of you to come back with the cheeses.

Not at all, says Katherine. Where's Terence?

........

Where is Terence?

He is in the eucalypt forest, with Jinjing.

They are listening.

A green flash whizzes by them.

And turns back, landing on a low branch.

It has long pointed wings and long tapering tail feathers. A bluish green crown, red face and shoulders.

It speaks: Waiting for someone?

Spotty, says Terence.

A forty spotted pardalote, says Jinijng. Have you seen one?

I'm a Swift Parrot, says the Swift Parrot.

You say that proudly, says Jinjing.

I do say that proudly, says the Swift Parrot.

And you think we should be looking for you, says Jinjing.

Exactly right, says the Swift Parrot. Everyone else is.

We're not, says Terence. We're looking for Spotty.

That's a JOKE, says the Swift Parrot. Ha Ha! Did the Beautiful Firetails tell you about Spotty?

Shut up! says Terence. Don't you know how to listen?

You bet I don't! says the Swift Parrot.

Then start, says Terence. That's what the job is.

He's only just gone independent, says Jinjing. Humour him.

The Swift Parrot finds Jinjing strangely attractive.

Why not?

He settles down to listen.