Science Boy

Sweezus pulls up in a carpark, overlooking the beach.

The rainforest grows thickly behind it.

This looks promising, says Gaius. There are bound to be frogs here. 

Okay, says Sweezus. We'll head out and catch a few waves. And if the Great White Teacher turns up, or his sidekicks, we'll set up a meeting.

Excellent, says Gaius. I should be available about three-ish.

Three-ish? says Arthur. Sharks don't have watches.

When the sun is....about there in the sky, says Gaius, pointing to where the sun will be, about three-ish.

Cool, says Sweezus. See ya later.

He and Arthur head down to the beach with their surfboards.

Now, says Gaius. Are we all ready?

Roo-kai isn't here yet, says Terence.

He will find us, says Gaius. We must enter the forest. I only have until three-ish.

Let's GO! says Quiet-Tartus.

He hops towards a fishbone fern, crouches beneath it, inflates his vocal sac and starts screaming.

Auk-auk!

A female Screaming Tree Frog awakes from her afternoon slumber. 

She approaches the fern.

It's the wrong time of day, mate!

Madam, you mistake me, says Quiet-Tartus. I am here on a different mission.

Which is? asks the female Screaming Tree Frog.

To find gang members, says Quiet-Tartus. Boy ones.

Of course, says the female Screaming Tree Frog. And what will your gang do?

Fight! cries Terence.

Who are you? asks the female Screaming Tree Frog.

A science boy, says Terence. 

He's with me, says Gaius. 

Shut up! says Quiet-Tartus. She asked ME!

I did, says the female Screaming Tree Frog. What is the gang for?

We will be travelling to Queensland, says Quiet-Tartus. But first we must practise our skills. Were you aware of the existence of the Slender Bleating Tree Frog?

Are they not the same species as us? asks the female Screaming Tree Frog.

No! says Quiet-Tartus. We are now believed not to be the same, but two different species.

I can attest to that, says Gaius.

Queensland! says the female Screaming Tree Frog. But it's summer. And we've just had lots of rain. Me and my sisters don't want a whole gang of chaps legging it to Queensland.

Ah yes, breeding season, says Gaius. A complicating factor.

It's a matter of PRIDE, says Quiet-Tartus. Do you know any fellows who've already mated?

I suppose so, says the female Screaming Tree Frog. But there's no law to say they can't do it again. 

You are not being helpful, says Quiet-Tartus. I will find my own gang members.

Suit yourself, says the female Screaming Tree Frog.

She hops away, to find a few of her sisters.

Pity, says Gaius. 

She'll be back, says Quiet-Tartus. You don't know Screaming Tree Frogs.

Lucky we've got you, says Terence.

Yes, science boy, says Quiet-Tartus.