The Foot Thing

Terence has had a few mishaps on his way down Mount Lofty.

Several riders, swerving to avoid him, have come off.

But Terence has not lost his balance.

Roo-kai flies above and behind him.

Try to slow down, says Roo-kai.

Can't, says Terence. I don't know where the brakes are.

Use your foot, says Roo-kai.

It doesn't know either, says Terence.

I'll find out what to do, says Roo-kai.

He changes direction.

Sweezus is not far away, cycling down hill, head down, leaning in on the corners....

Stop! cries Roo-kai.

Sweezus stops quickly. Arthur passes him, So do Vello and David.

I wonder why he stopped? says David. Should we go back and ask him?

No, says Vello. 

They keep going.

What? says Sweezus. 

How do you brake on a skateboard? asks Roo-kai.

I bet I know who wants to know, says Sweezus.

Actually he doesn't, says Rookai. He's showing remarkable balance. But he's caused a few mishaps.

Bugger, says Sweezus. Okay. This is how you brake on a skateboard that doesn't have brakes. Lower your stance and skid your back foot on the ground. 

Thanks! says Roo-kai, turning and flying back after Terence.

Forgot to tell him to use his heel, says Sweezus, pushing off again.

Yeah, but I guess it doesn't matter, he says to himself. That's to save the toes of your skate shoes and Terence doesn't wear any.

He then imagines Terence's cement foot, scraping the road, creating a spark and starting a bushfire.

Crikey! Could that really happen?

Let us fast forward.

Here is Terence, going like the clappers. Here is Roo-kai, catching up

Lower your stance and skid your back foot on the road! squawks Roo-kai.

What does lower your stance mean? asks Terence. 

Crouch! shouts Roo-kai. And then do the foot thing!

It's way too hard to do both things at once.

So Terence just crouches.

Which only speeds him up further.

On the bright side, he won't start a bushfire.