Lightning And Vomit

It's almost midnight.

How's your phone? asks Ranger Roger.

All charged up, says Gaius. And the blanket's dry. We should turn in.

I might sleep on the couch, says Pierre-Louis.

Janet fetches a blanket.

Could you call the guy who needs a team member? asks Ranger Roger.

It's a bit late, says Gaius. He might be in bed.

Go on, says Pierre-Louis. If he's asleep he won't answer.

All right, says Gaius. 

He calls Sweezus.

Hey! says Sweezus. 

I hope I didn't wake you, says Gaius.

No I'm in a bar, says Sweezus. It's kind of noisy. Speak up.

Any luck finding a new team member? asks Gaius.

Not yet, says Sweezus. 

We've found a candidate, says Gaius. A local ranger.

Yeah? says Sweezus. What's his name? 

Ranger Roger, says Gaius.

Cool, says Sweezus. How old is he?

I don't know, says Gaius. Would you like to speak to him? He's right here.

Okay, says Sweezus. Put him on.

Hi, says Ranger Roger. Sorry for the late hour.

No worries, says Sweezus. Okay, what're your credentials?

Ranger Roger starts listing the mountain bike, cyclo-cross and road races he's won.

Sprinter or climber? asks Sweezus.

Both, says Ranger Roger. I have above average lung volume and capacity.

Creative? asks Sweezus. 

Uh? says Ranger Roger.

He hadn't expected this question.

Like, you'd be replacing Pablo Neruda, says Sweezus. 

He wasn't that fast, says Ranger Roger.

But a heaps good poet, says Sweezus. Do you have a dog?

No, says Ranger Roger. Why is that relevant?

Write a poem about a dog, says Sweezus. Send it to me. No, send it to Arthur. Get Gaius to give you his number. If Arthur likes it, you're in.

Okay, says Ranger Roger, trying to sound confident.

And you'd have to pay for your ticket to Bilbao, says Sweezus.

Sure, says Ranger Roger. Thank you. Okay.

On that note, the call ends.

What did he say? asks Janet.

I have to write a poem about a dog, says Ranger Roger. And if they like it, I'm in.

Well done, says Gaius.

I know a poem about a dog, says Terence. A dead one.

Perhaps you'd like to help Roger, says Janet.

Okay, says Terence. How about this? A dog has died. I buried it in the garden...

No, says Gaius. Don't start with that. Sweezus would recognise Terence's influence.

This is hard, says Ranger Roger. I didn't think being creative would be that important.

You can do it, Roger, says Janet. You were quite good at English in school.

Seems I have to impress someone called Arthur, says Roger. 

Oh, Arthur, says Gaius. You won't impress him. His own poetry is highly unusual.

It's about boats, says Terence. And lightning, and vomit. 

And violet clots, says Pierre-Louis.

How do you know? asks Gaius.

I'm a Frenchman, says Pierre-Louis. 

Well good luck, Roger, says Gaius. I'm due for some sleep.

Bonne chance, Roger, says Pierre-Louis, taking his shoes off before putting his feet on the couch.

Goodnight everyone, says Janet

Roger goes to his bedroom followed by Terence and Squattu, who are planning to help.