Can I be in the photo? asks Terence.
No, says Gaius. A passport photo should be of one person, or in this case, one parrot.
Can I take it? asks Terence.
Yes, says Gaius. Here is my phone. You press this circle, when you're ready.
I'm ready, says Terence. Are you ready, Roo-kai?
Roo-kai-Catcher, says the oystercatcher.
A fine name, says Gaius.
Too long, says Terence.
You can call me Roo-kai, says the oystercatcher.
Try and look like a parrot, says Terence.
What if I turn a bit sideways, says Roo-kai.
It must be face on, says Gaius.
Surely not for a parrot, says Saint Arnoc. Or any bird for that matter.
Good point, says Gaius. The beak is an identifying feature, which, face-on, would appear foreshortened.
Isn't that the idea? asks Roo-kai.
Hum, says Gaius. Ideally, both you and your passport photo should look the same.
Like a parrot, says Terence.
Do you saints have any colourful feathers? asks Gaius.
The saints exchange glances.
No, says Saint Arnoc, but we could make Roo-kai's feathers more colourful.
Saint Ténénan has already gone into the pantry.
He comes out with a little red bottle.
Hey! says Terence. You said you didn't have any!
That was me, says Saint Arnoc. Where was it?
On the wrong shelf, says Saint Ténénan.
Saint Arnoc produces a paint brush.
Hold still, Roo-kai!
He dips the tip of the paintbrush into the red bottle and draws it out carefully.
He paints a feathery red ring round the neck of Roo-kai.
Woo! says Terence. Now you look like someone's tried to kill you!
Do I? asks Roo-kai.
He is pleased.
Terence presses the circle. Click!
It's a good one. Roo-kai looks like the photo.
And it looks like him.
No comments:
Post a Comment