Unsullied

Gaius and Pierre-Louis leave the Warburton Highway at the Powelltown turn-off.

Not far now, says Gaius. Shall we stop for an apple?

Yes, let's do that, says Pierre-Louis. And we can check on the skink.

Indeed, says Gaius. 

They stop cycling.

Gaius looks into the carriage.

Guess what? says Terence. The pink thing came out.

I can smell it, says Gaius. But it is a good outcome.

Not that good, says Terence. It came out all sticky and gloopy.

What on? asks Gaius. Not the blanket?

Yes, says Terence. And on the apples.

Aren't they in a bag? asks Gaius.

Doesn't anyone care about me? asks Easter Morning.

Of course we do, says Gaius. How are you feeling?

Normal, says Easter Morning. 

Good, says Gaius. Now what about those apples?

Terence hands him the bag with the apples. 

It is sticky with gloop.

Look at this, Pierre-Louis, says Gaius. The apple bag has protected our apples from Easter Morning's bad-smelling excretion.

There is something to be said for plastic, says Pierre-Louis. Shall I wash it off?

Do you have enough water? asks Gaius.

Plenty, says Pierre-Louis.

He opens his water bottle and sluices the plastic bag down.

Then he takes out two apples.

Unsullied, says Gaius. Well done.

They are eating the unsullied apples when a cyclist comes by.

Going to Powelltown? asks the rider.

Yes, says Gaius. Just having an apple break. Would you care for one?

Yeah, thanks, says the rider, taking an apple.

Shane Corr, he adds. Famous axeman.

What about him? says Gaius. 

That's me, says Shane Corr.

Pleased to meet you, says Gaius. I'm Gaius Secundus. And this is Pierre-Louis Maupertuis.

'Ay, says Shane Corr. You hiking the trails?

In a way, says Gaius. We'll be looking for Leadbeater's possums. As for you, surely you're no longer an axeman.

Sadly, no, says Shane Corr. That was many years ago.

Aha!

Maybe that's why Shane Corr looks old-fashioned.