Deus Ex Machina

Arthur appears, with a surfboard, and a fold-up table.

Just the man, says Gaius. But why the table?

Arthur unfolds the table.

For the potato eating comp, says Arthur. Belle asked me to bring it.

Wonderful, says Gaius. But right now, we have a crisis.

Terence? asks Arthur.

( Perhaps he has drowned?)

No, not Terence, says Gaius. Victor turned up and began laying down the law. While we were dealing with Victor, the crabs escaped into the water. Kierkegaard waded in to retrieve them and in the process became involved in a philosophical discussion. The upshot is, our control crab is willing to return, but the other two are now on a quest to find a higher crab being.

Somewhere out there? says Arthur, pointing vaguely.

Yes, says Gaius. As you have turned up like a deus ex machina, perhaps you wouldn't mind paddling out on your surfboard and persuading them to come back.

Sure, says Arthur.

This is better than minding the crabs in their salad bowls. They could be anywhere.

He paddles out, passing Kierkegaard, who is just coming in.

Arthur keeps paddling, out beyond the last wave.

This could be where the crabs are.

There is plenty of time. He'll just wait.

Meanwhile on the ocean floor beneath him, Alexander-Groovy and Alexander-Curly are dejected.

They had met a Blue Swimmer. A big one.

They had followed him here.

They had asked him if he knew the whereabouts of a higher being.

He had said: Bugger off. Find your own!

Alexander-Groovy and Alexander-Curly had felt hard done by. They had been TRYING!

Let's go back, says Alexander-Curly.

Yes, let's, says Alexander-Groovy. If the higher being is a true higher being, it'll find US.

They rise through the green water together.

And surface beside Arthur's board.

Arthur has been trying to remember a poem he wrote once.

O blue, U green

( inspired by the scenery)

How did it go? he says loudly.

The crabs answer.

Not too well, Arthur. Lucky you're here.