The Fun Life Of Others

Time for me to go up yet? asks Squattu.

Gaius looks at his watch.

Yes, it's almost dawn. Banjo's parents will be back soon.

Is the drone working properly? asks Squattu.

This will be the test, says Pierre-Louis.

Ready? says Terence.

Yes, says Squattu. Wait, what am I supposed to ask them?

Just get them talking, says Gaius. And don't lead them off on a tangent. 

I won't, says Squattu.

Terence pulls the drone's up-knob.

The drone shudders, makes a whirring sound, stirs up leaves, and eventually rises.

Squattu follows it up to the entrance to the hollow.

Terence can see her on the screen.

She waves a batwing. 

I'd better go home, says new Banjo. If your parents are coming home, mine will be too. Bye, Banjo!

Bye, says Banjo.

New Banjo runs back to his tree and scampers up it.

Just in time.

Hello Baby, says Aunty Possum.

New Banjo sighs.

Did you have a good time? asks Uncle Possum.

Yes! says new Banjo. Do we have any nails?

No, of course not, says Aunty Possum, but we brought you some lerps.

Banjo eats his lerps and reflects on the fun life of others.

Meanwhile Ma and Dad Possum have returned to their hollow.

Welcome home, says Squattu.

What are you doing here? asks Dad Possum.   

Recording your return, says Squattu. How was your evening?

Not bad, says Ma Possum.

Care to elaborate? asks Squattu.

We're quite knackered, says Dad Possum. 

We're not used to fighting with pencils before going out hunting, says Ma Possum.

Did you catch anything? asks Squattu.

A number of invertebrates, says Dad Possum. And we found a good patch of lerps.

We met up with Aunty and Uncle Possum, says Ma Possum. They took some lerps home for Baby.

We met Baby, says Squattu. 

Nice little chap, says Dad Possum.

He calls himself Banjo now, says Squattu.

Well I never! says Ma Possum. 

Couldn't he think of another name? asks Dad Possum.

He was considering Rejoice, says Squattu.

Almighty Ada save us ! says Ma Possum. Rejoice?

May I ask, if it's not intruding into your privacy too much, who is Almighty Ada? asks Squattu.

Don't you know? asks Ma Possum. No, of course you don't. You're from far away.

A local possum deity? asks Squattu.

Neither a possum nor a deity, but the Ada Tree, says Dad Possum.

You should take your party of nosey parkers to see her, says Ma Possum.

That's a bit rude, Ma, says Dad Possum.

Too bad, says Ma Possum. I'm going to bed.

I'll be off, says Squattu. Thanks for the chat, and advice.

She emerges from the hollow, and looks for the drone.

Where is it?

Ah. Down there and to the left a bit.

Now who's gone off on a tangent?