Stiff Orange Feet

Belle pulls the bird box from the baggage carousel.

Roo-kai! says Terence.

He's not in it, says Belle.

But these are his feathers, says Arthur.

Not helpful, Arthur, says Belle.

He's been kidnapped! says Terence.

He might be in the other flat pack, says Sweezus.

Belle's flat pack looms into view. Sweezus grabs it.

Belle opens it up.

Her bike, but no feathers.

That's a good thing, says Belle. 

Why? asks Terence. 

Think about it, little buddy, says Sweezus.

I am thinking about it, says Terence. If we find enough feathers....

It means he'd be bald, says Arthur.

A security guard appears from behind them.

Lost something? 

Our parrot, says Belle. Actually, an oystercatcher.

A bald one, says Terence.

Was it French? asks the security guard. Or Australian?

That's classified information, says Belle.

Oh is it? says the security guard. I assume you have papers.

We don't even have the parrot, says Terence.

What about these feathers? asks the security guard.

They're not him, says Terence.  Like when my sidecurls broke off. and it made me look older.

What's that got to do with it? asks the security guard.

He might look older, says Terence.

Older than what?, says the security guard. Do you have a photo?

Yes, says Belle. I've got this one, with him and the frogs.

She shows him a photo which was taken in Le Havre.

Is that Le Havre? asks the security guard.

Yes, says Belle. 

The guard looks at the bird in the photo.

Did this bird by any chance have a medal from the French Goverment? asks the security guard.

Yes! says Terence. 

Oh, right, says the security guard. Come to the office. We do have a bird that has a French medal and looks older than this one. 

That'll be him, says Belle. Wait here, guys.

She goes off with the security guard to pick up Roo-kai.

She follows the guard into the office.

On the desk lies Roo-kai, his stiff orange feet pointing towards the fan on the ceiling.