No Frogs No Spoons

Sweezus and Arthur get into the Mazda.

We'll drop it off when we get to Adelaide, says Sweezus.

Remember to fill it with petrol, says Wittgenstein.

Good luck with the Tour, says Katherine. 

Bad luck, says Terence.

That's very ungracious, says Gaius.

It's not fair. I always go, says Terence. I give the drinks out.

You don't give the drinks out, says Gaius. You stand next to Belle and she hands the drinks out.

And sometimes she goes on a motor bike, says Terence.

I know, says Gaius. And then she has to find someone to look after you.

A clown, says Terence.

He remembers that clown. 

At least you won't have to be minded by a clown, says Sweezus. And we can do Facetime.

Terence has the frogs to look after, says Roo-kai.

So he does, says Gaius. They'll keep him occupied.

Where are they? asks Terence.

They have their heads together up in our room, says Gaius. Probably planning a new contest.

Okay, see you later, says Sweezus.

He and Arthur drive off in the Mazda.

I'd better start cooking that emu, says Katherine.

She heads to the kitchen.

Gaius, Wittgenstein and Terence go back up the stairs.

Terence looks around for the frogs.

They are nowhere. No frogs. No empty ninja costumes.

They'll be down in the Japanese garden, says Gaius. Don't fret.

I'll help you look for them, says Wittgenstein.

He and Terence go back down the stairs.

Roo-kai is waiting.

Not upstairs? says Roo-kai.

Gaius said they'll be in the garden, says Terence. 

They search the dry garden, the lake and bridges, the islands, the azalea hill, the mountain stream and waterfall, and the three kilometres of paths, but see only swans, ducks, geese and 230 species of Japanese and Australian native trees and plants.

But the time they have finished it is lunchtime. The Baked Emu and Crushed Pumpkin is ready.

Katherine has brought it up to the room, in a baking dish. 

No frogs? asks Katherine.

No, says Terence.

I don't suppose they could have stowed away in the Mazda? says Katherine.

Why would they? says Gaius.

The knowlesi seemed very interested in the Tour, says Katherine. Perhaps he persuaded the other two frogs to go with him.

They won't make it to Copenhagen, says Gaius. Too many barriers.

True. Come on, let's eat this concoction, says Katherine. 

Are there spoons? asks Gaius.

There are no spoons. 

Katherine has to go back down the stairs to the kitchen.