Why Run For A Medal?

Go! says Lauren.

She and Terence and the crabs run round the table.

Alexander-Groovy and Alexander-Curly are remarkably fast.

Being declawed (by one claw) is no disadvantage when running round a table.

I win, says Alexander-Curly.

Dead heat, says Alexander-Groovy.

We haven't FINISHED! says Terence. We have to go round the table again.

No one told US, says Alexander-Groovy. Our energy's almost expended.

You can't split the first prize, says Alexander-Red-Hook. I vote we keep going.

Me too, says Lauren. Keep going.

They run round the table again.

Lauren comes first, without really trying.

Terence comes second.

No one wants this. Not Terence, not Alexander-Red-Hook, who covets the knucklebones, but has come third, and would win the Monte Carlos.

Keep going, says Terence.

Until HE wins, says Alexander-Curly.

Until everyone stops cheating, says Terence.

I wasn't cheating, says Lauren. But I'll give myself a handicap.

This seems fair.

Third time round the table.

Lauren hasn't even started. Terence is neck and neck with Alexander-Red-Hook, who slows when she realises that Groovy and Curly have faltered.

Terence wins. Red-Hook comes second.

I win the medal! says Terence.

I win the knucklebones, says Red-Hook.

Lauren, who has passed Groovy and Curly at the northwest corner, wins the Monte Carlos.

It's the best of all possible results.

But time is short, because Terence only gets to wear the medal until the potato competitors come back.

Belle has been first to reach the furthest potato, due to her tactic, which was: don't bother with the earlier potatoes.

She is well in front on the way back.

She is nibbling the furthest potato. It's cold and unappetising.

She takes small bites, then spits them out sideways.

Arthur is not far behind her. He admires her for cheating.

He has not picked up any potatoes, himself.

Belle turns to see by how much she is winning.

Not much. Arthur is gaining.

She lets him draw level.

Do you want the medal? asks Belle. Or the knucklebones?

Neither, says Arthur. I hate cold potatoes.

Me too, says Belle. And there's a delicious picnic waiting for us.

What's in it? asks Arthur.

Spring green frittata, guacamole with jalapeno and corn chips, mini pork and chorizo picnic pies, prawn and avocado Vietnamese summer rolls, Edenvale Sparkling Rosé and Edenvale Blanc de Blanc, says Belle.

This sounds tempting to Arthur, whose knee is bleeding. Why run for a medal?

He and Belle begin jogging

Kierkegaard races by, swallowing hard lumps of cold potato that haven't gone down yet.

Sweezus is close at his heels.

At this rate Kierkegaard will win the medal.

And Sweezus will win his own knucklebones