Pi-face and Piffy

Shall we eat outside? asks Wittgenstein. It's cramped in the camper.

Excellent idea, says Gaius. Of course, we won't have a table.

Or seats, says Haruki. But what does it matter?

They take their fried fish, Waldorf salad and beer outside, and sit on the grass, near the camper.

Excellent barramundi, says Haruki.

I concur, says Gaius.

It grows darker.

There is a faint sound of screaming, far away in the trees.

Anyone for a night expedition? asks Gaius. 

ME! cries Terence.

Anyone else? asks Gaius.

Haruki and Wittgenstein seem reluctant.

You go, says Wittgenstein. We'll come along later.

Still following up the subject of parallels? asks Gaius.

Yes, says Haruki, there are several I have not introduced yet.

You can talk as you walk, says Gaius.

Won't that frighten the tree frogs? asks Wittgenstein.

No! says Terence. Gaius and me will go first.

And how will that help? asks Wittgenstein.

We know frogs, says Terence. Remember Pi-face and Piffy?

Ah yes, says Gaius. The Riobamba tree frogs. Sad story. All those dead froglets.

Very well, says Wittgenstein. All right, Haruki?

Sure, says Haruki.

He grabs another beer, and pops the top.

Wittgenstein also grabs one.

Gaius and Terence have already departed.

Roo-kai remains behind to pick at the leftovers.

Let us continue, says Wittgenstein, as they follow a walking trail beside the Dawson River.

Adductors, says Haruki.

He explains that an oyster has adductor muscles which draw parts of the body towards a median line.

And where is the parallel in a car? asks Wittgenstein.

Try to think of one, says Haruki.

Why? Does he not have an answer?

Wittgenstein tries to think of one for himself.

What is the median line in a vehicle? What draws towards it? The wheels? No, the wheels move forward in parallel. Perhaps there is no definitive answer.

The sound of screaming grows louder. Then stops abruptly.

Wittgenstein and Haruki move forward, towards a fixed point.