We Stay Separate

Where is Captain Baudin? asks Katherine.

A fine welcome, says Dufresne.

At least you're here, says Katherine. 

Try again, says Dufresne.

How very pleasant to see you, says Katherine.

Likewise, says Dufresne.

How did you get here? asks Arthur. 

Washed ashore in the usual manner, says Dufresne.

With my scarf, says Katherine. I never thought I would see it again.

That scarf saved our lives, says Dufresne.

OUR lives? says Katherine. So Captain Baudin washed up with you? Where is he?

Arthur is already searching along the boulder-strewn shore.

He reaches the spot where the dinghy is tied to a tree.

Yes, his shoes are still in it.

And Captain Baudin lies beside the dinghy, looking up at the sky.

You made it, says Arthur. Did anyone help you?

No one, says Captain Baudin.

You can tell me, says Arthur.

Best if I don't, says Baudin. 

Does the name Yaah mean anything to you? asks Arthur.

No, says Baudin. 

So there is nothing to be learned from the lobsters. 

It would seem they drifted the eighty kilometres from Auckland to Te Hauturu-o-Toi, and fetched up among the boulders. By means of a scarf.

Such things rarely happen.

Arthur picks up his shoes.

What now? asks Captain Baudin.

We stay separate, says Arthur. 

What's that? says Katherine, coming across to the dinghy.

I was saying that we should stay separate, says Arthur. Or it might look like we arranged it.

True, says Katherine. We must remain separate parties.

Fine by us, says Captain Baudin. We will find our own accommodation, and tonight we will set out to trap kakapos.

We are not trapping them, says Katherine. We are here to count them.

Do your own thing, says Dufresne. We will do ours.

The two lobsters make their way over the boulders and disappear into the low vegetation.

Did we handle that badly? asks Katherine. 

Don't worry, says Arthur. Gaius will know what to do.