The Frailty Of Human Life

Night time in Melbourne..

Terence walks and walks.

Squattu flies above him. 

They both wear white cloaks.

From behind they look like one white towel walking, and a smaller one flying.

See that? asks someone.

Let's catch up, says their companion.

They soon catch up.

The first person dodges in front of Terence.

What are you dressed up as? asks the person.

He looks familiar.

Not him exactly, but his hat.

What are YOU dressed up as? asks Terence.

I asked first, says the person in the familiar hat.

I'm dressed up as Batman, says Terence. And Squatty is too.

Batman never wore a white cloak, says the person.

It's a towel, says Terence. Hotels only have white ones.

Fair enough, says the first person's companion. Come on, Tommy, let's go.

Wait! says Terence. Can I borrow your hat?

No way, kid, says Tommy.

Let him, says his companion. It might fit him better.

Tommy lends Terence his hat.

Terence puts it on and remembers.

This is Tommy Zoom. And this is his long-lost Peruvian hat!

My long-lost Peruvian hat! says Terence,

Blow me down! says Tommy Zoom. Are you Terence? You haven't grown much in the last eight years. Lorna, it's Terence.

So it is! says Lorna. What are you doing out here at night?

With a fruit bat, says Tommy Zoom.

We're looking for Batman's Hill, says Terence.

Back that way, on Collins Street, says Tommy Zoom.

It's not there, says Terence. They removed it.

Come with us, then, says Tommy Zoom. We'll help you find it.

Tommy! says Lorna.

The guys in the Drunken Poet will know where the hill is if anyone does, says Tommy Zoom.

Yay! says Terence. Will they let Squatty in?

They let anyone in, says Tommy Zoom.

Soon Terence is sitting on a high stool at a table in the Drunken Poet. 

He is wearing his white cloak and his long lost Peruvian hat.

Squattu is nearby on a table. From most angles she looks like a white napkin.

Someone give us a poem! cries one of Tommy Zoom's drunken friends.

Tommy Zoom starts reciting the Wild Swans at Coole.

It's long, and at the end the drunken friends ponder the message.

It's about the frailty of human life, says Tommy Zoom, looking over at Terence. Whereas some of us.... 

Terence thinks Tommy Zoom means it's his turn.

A dog has died..... begins Terence.

Everyone listens. It's a good follow-up to the Wild Swans at Coole.

Squattu sighs. 

Why has no one yet mentioned the hill?