Which Is Why

 Come in, boys, says Katherine. And tell me about your adventures.

We can't stay, says Sweezus.

Nonsense, says Katherine. Vello and David can wait. Why do they need my car anyway?

We're not allowed to assemble the props in the office. says Sweezus.

Props? says Katherine. Don't tell me! They're doing that play!

An excerpt, says Arthur. I chose it.

At random, says Sweezus. Which is why.

It's always good to know which is why, says Katherine. Sit down. Would you like a kombucha?

Yeah thanks, says Sweezus. You're heaps modern.

Not really, says Katherine. I keep it for you. I don't drink it myself.

She takes two cans of raspberry flavoured kombucha from the fridge, and a plate of protein balls from the pantry.

Sweezus and Arthur tuck in.

Katherine takes a sideways glance at Arthur's bare knees.

Yes. The usual scabs and scratches.

Do you still have those trousers I bought you? asks Katherine. With the zip-off bottoms.

Somewhere, says Arthur.

You should wear them, says Katherine.

Too hot, says Arthur.

Have you two been surfing? asks Katherine.

Yeah, says Sweezus. Down at Middleton. And guess what? We saw Great White Teacher. He gave us some props.

What could he possibly contribute? asks Katherine. 

Teeth, says Sweezus. They're like, instead of gold nuggets.

Are they? says Katherine. I see. And what did he want in return? 

A Friendly Shark campaign, says Sweezus. Paid for with five percent of the profits.

In other words, five percent of nothing, says Katherine.

No way! says Sweezus. We've got ticket sales in the pipeline. The guy from Bunnings, and Hedley's mother and friends.

Who is Hedley? asks Katherine, taking a bite of a protein ball.

This kid Terence met on the beach, says Arthur. He and Terence are playing two giant red sheep.

With one head, says Sweezus.

No, says Arthur. Two heads and one body.

No, says Sweezus. Terence was playing two red sheep with a two headed costume, but the head kept on tipping so Hedley came in.

Hedley! laughs Katherine, (not the first one to think that it's funny).

She almost chokes on a piece of chopped almond.

Here, says Sweezus. Swig this.

Katherine takes a sip of kambucha, and recovers.

It's not as disgusting as I thought, says Katherine. Thank you.

No worries, says Sweezus. Well, we'd better get on. Gotta figure out how to put this scientific machine together.

Do you have a diagram? asks Katherine. I'm good at diagrams.

Sweezus shows her the diagram. 

Planks and ladders, says Katherine. And what are these wing things?

We're not using them, says Sweezus. We've got ropes and pulleys.

What fun, says Katherine. I'll come with you, and help. Need any tools or anything?

Tools! 

There's a helpful suggestion.