What Were You Being?

Is this your bird? asks the security guard.

It was alive when I sent it, says Belle.

You might want to think about that, says the security guard. 

Roo-kai-makes a slight movement.

Perhaps it's a toy bird, says the security guard.

Oh. Perhaps it is, says Belle. In which case, may I take it?

Certainly, says the security guard. And here is its medal.

Thank you, says Belle, accepting the medal, and picking up Roo-kai.

Roo-kai remains stiff in her hands.

Sweezus, Arthur and Terence are waiting.

Why's he all stiff? asks Sweezus.  

Toy birds are usually stiff, says Belle. 

Roo-kai! cries Terence. Has he died?

No, says Belle. But let's get going. 

What about your bike? asks Sweezus.

Damn! I'd better put it together, says Belle. Here, you take Roo-kai.

Sweezus takes Roo-kai from Belle and follows Arthur to the exit.

Terence skates behind them on his new skateboard.

Can I have Roo-kai? asks Terence, when they are safely outside the airport.

Here, says Sweezus. 

He gives Terence Roo-kai.

What were you doing? asks Terence.

Being, says Roo-kai.

Okay what were you being? asks Terence.

A toy bird, says Roo-kai. 

If you were a toy, says Terence, you could have come with me in the cabin.

I know, says Roo-kai.

And why were your feathers in the flat pack? asks Terence. We thought you'd be bald.

I'm not bald, says Roo-kai.

Both flat packs had feathers, says Terence. 

Beats me, says Roo-kai.

You've lost your smartness, says Terence.

Sorry, says Roo-kai.

Terence is worried now. The real Roo-kai would have explained the two lots of feathers and not been sorry for losing his smartness, because he wouldn't have lost it.

This is not the real Roo-kai!