Budgie's Blood

It's a good crystal that Arthur has spotted, and Sweezus prised out.

More like three crystals, joined together, thrusting upwards, with many smooth facets, some catching the sun.

Coolio! says Sweezus. I'll give this to Terence.

It'll be wasted on Terence, says Arthur. 

Yeah, probably, but at least it was free, says Sweezus. Who was that woman?

Just some woman, says Arthur. She knew about the sculptures. Each one tells a story.

What does that one tell? asks Sweezus, pointing towards a large rock, left natural on one side and sculpted into an abstract shape on the other.

It's up to you to work out, says Arthur.

It looks like a nose, says Sweezus.

Maybe to you, says Arthur.

What's up? asks Sweezus.

There's this French guy in Broken Hill, says Arthur. Supposedly looking for a parrot. The woman told me.

So what? asks Sweezus, picking specks of dirt from the crystal.

I think I know him, says Arthur. And he knows me.

In a good or a bad way? asks Sweezus, licking a finger and spit polishing a facet.

Bad, says Arthur. It's Verlaine. He was buying a fish.

Verlaine? says Sweezus. Didn't he nearly kill you that time?

Yes, says Arthur. That's him.

Yeah well, we have to meet Gaius and the others at the Milk Bar, says Sweezus. But then, we'll all head out of town.

Okay, says Arthur. 

They drive back down Nine Mile Road to Bell's Milk Bar.

The camper is parked outside.

They enter Bell's Milk Bar, which looks like an  old-fashioned milk bar, with original chrome fittings, 1950s music and fifty traditional flavours of milk shake.

Gaius, Wittgenstein, Terence and Roo-kai are established inside.

Guess what this is? says Terence.

Hello little buddy, says Sweezus. Dunno, strawberry?

Budgie's Blood! says Terence.

Bodgie's Blood, says Gaius. But never mind. Where have you been?

Avoiding a Frenchman with a fish, says Sweezus. 

Easy to do, I imagine, says Wittgenstein.

Not that easy, says Arthur. He might be looking for me.

Never mind, says Gaius. He's not in here. Why not order a milk shake? 

Sweezus orders a Peppermint Eclair milkshake.

Arthur orders the Mars Bar.

Mine is a Snow Cap, says Gaius.

This one's a Fruit Tingle, says Wittgenstein. Not quite what I expected.

Roo-kai is sipping water from a bowl near the door. 

The door opens and in walks a Frenchman. thinning on top, moustache, skinny, carrying a package.