A Fine Spaceman

They drive through Wilcannia.

They do not stop there.

We'll push on to Cobar, says Gaius.

Is that where the frogs are? asks Terence.

Not the ones we seek, says Gaius. But night draws on. 

This reminds Terence of his crystal.

Where is it? asks Terence.

Here, says Roo-kai.

Good isn't it, says Sweezus. Three crystals stuck together.

May I see? asks Gaius.

Okay, says Terence. But don't make a wish.

I have no intention of making a wish, says Gaius.

Terence hands the crystal to Gaius.

A fine specimen, says Gaius. 

Terence adds that to his store of knowledge about his new crystal. 

The atoms are linked in a continuous framework of silicon-oxygen tetrahedra, says Gaius. And the interesting thing about that is...

Terence does not add this to his store of knowledge.

No kidding, says Sweezus, when Gaius has finished his explanation of what the interesting thing is.

Because, says Terence, I want the wish.

If it's a wishing crystal, says Roo-kai, there should be more than one wish available.

But they get trickier, says Terence. And there might just be one.

Don't wish for a horse, says Sweezus.

Bumhole! Sweezus has wrecked it! Now he can't wish for a horse.

Roo-kai sees from the look on his little cement face what Terence is thinking.

Crystals are for healing, says Roo-kai. 

Hey, yeah! says Sweezus. I've heard that. Different colours for different types of healing.

What does that mean? asks Terence.

Nonsense, says Gaius.

Look it up, says Sweezus. It might take his mind off the horse.

All right, says Gaius, getting out his smart phone. Ah yes, the clear crystal can be used for improving your  balance.

Bank balance? asks Sweezus. 

Ha ha, says Gaius. I think not. I imagine this refers to life balance.

I can balance already, says Terence.

It doesn't mean that, says Sweezus.

You don't know, says Terence. 

It means finding a balance, says Sweezus. Like if you only think about work and never have any fun, or if you only have fun and never think about work, that's a bad lifestyle balance.

Well put, says Gaius.

What about me? asks Terence. What do I never do?

Think, says Sweezus.

He means think about it, says Roo-kai. Not that you don't do it.

Terence thinks about it.

Then gives up. He gazes at his new crystal which is shiny and pointy even if it doesn't do anything. 

It's a fine spaceman.