RIP Beside The Spare Tyre

Very early next morning the Mazda pulls up ouside Katherine's.

Sweezus and Arthur get out.

Katherine opens the door.

Good to see you're both still in one piece, says Katherine. 

Yeah, says Sweezus. We kind of hooned it.

Terence is listening.

Did you kill anyone? asks Terence.

Fuck no, says Sweezus. At least, that depends on what you mean by anyone.

ANY ONE, says Terence. 

Because there's a bit of bad news, says Sweezus.

What is it? asks Katherine. Oh, don't tell me! The frogs.

No, says Sweezus. At least, not all of them.

Arthur? says Katherine. Sweezus is taking too long to tell us. What happened?

One of the frogs died, says Arthur. Not the slimy one. One of the others.

You've forgotten their names! cries Terence. Where are they?

In the boot, says Arthur. Want to see them?

Terence follows Arthur to the back of the Mazda. Arthur opens the boot.

It's Shorty-Tartus! cries Terence.

Yes! My brother has died, says Quiet-Tartus. Our hopes of forming a cycling team are dashed with his passing.

That was never going to happen, says Arthur. You were only going to be our team mascots. You still are.

Not him! says Terence.

No, not him, says Arthur. 

And guess what? says Terence. Victor arrested Roo-kai. And we can't find his medal.

What's the medal got to do with it? asks Arthur.

Victor wants to see it, says Terence. To prove Roo-kai is a toy.

The medal proves the opposite, says Arthur. Victor's being typically devious.

Wah! cries Terence. I want my parrot!

Come into the house, says Arthur. Bring the frogs with you. 

Terence picks up Quiet-Tartus and the knowlesi, both of whom seem subdued.

Arthur slams shut the boot of the Mazda.

Shorty-Tartus rests in peace in the dark beside the spare tyre.

A surprise for a subsequent renter.