Dark Crushing Waves

Port Macquarie.

It's still raining.

Sweezus pulls up outside the Billabong Zoo.

Doesn't look very busy, says Arthur.

Yeah, it doesn't, says Sweezus. 

Are you coming in with me? asks Terence.

Suppose so, says Sweezus. They won't let a kid in on his own.

Even with a parrot, says Terence.

Especially with a parrot, says Sweezus. We'll take you in, and leave you there for a couple of hours. How'd that be?

Good, says Terence. 

Only one of us has to go in with him, says Arthur. 

Okay, says Sweezus. You take him in. I'll stay here and check out the surf report.

Arthur gets out with Terence. They go to the entrance.

Have you got a voucher? asks the attendant.

No, says Arthur. I'm here to deliver a statue.

O wow! says the attendant. So cute. It looks real!

I am real, says Terence.

Now here's a dilemma, if the statue is real.

But what the hell. It's raining buckets. Go through.

Arthur picks up the statue and carries him into the Billabong Zoo.

That was EMBARRASSING! says Terence.

You'll get over it, says Arthur.

I am over it, says Terence. Where's the black handed spider monkey?

Roo-kai'll help you find it, saysd Arthur.

But he's not here, says Terence.

Yes I am, says Roo-kai, landing beside him. 

Great, says Arthur. We'll be back in a couple of hours. Come to the entrance.

How can I, if I'm a statue? asks Terence.

Gradually, says Arthur. Give yourself plenty of time.

He heads back to the entrance.

Delivered the statue already? asks the attendant. Where are they putting it?

Near the spider monkey, says Arthur.

Sweezus is sitting in the camper, looking pensive.

What? asks Arthur.

Surf conditions are hazardous, says Sweezus,

Great! says Arthur.

I feel bad about leaving Terence, says Sweezus.

He's fine, says Arthur. They think he's a statue. And he's with Roo-kai.

A statue? says Sweezus. Wonder why? Okay, let's head down to Town Beach and check it out. 

They drive down to Town Beach, where conditions do look quite hazardous.

Only a few crazy surfers are out there, heads, arms or legs intermittently visible, among dark crushing waves.