The Practical Packer

Camus arrives at the back of the car. Opens the boot and deposits the provisions. 

He closes the boot.

All done, says Camus. Did you get your notes sorted?

All but the illustration, says Gaius. It appears to be missing.

You gave it to me, says Terence.

Then it's probably irretrievable, says Gaius. Never mind, I know what the orange-bellied parrot looks like.

But I don't, says Camus. For me, an illustration would have been helpful.

Don't worry, says Terence. We've got Waca, and a cake.

Ha ha! laughs Gaius. That is a non sequitur if ever I heard one.

What does that mean? asks Terence.

It does not follow, says Camus. Gaius means that a missing illustration of a parrot is not solved by cake.

Wrong! says Terence. It's an ORANGE cake!

Aha! says Gaius. Now the penny drops. Camus bought a cake.

As a treat for Terence, says Camus. He was helpful during the shopping.

Yes, says Terence. We bought more treats as well. Everything was treats, and nothing was healthy.

But Gaius is following the previous train of thought, about the orange cake, and misses this crucial information.

So you plan to do Waca up as an orange-bellied parrot with orange cake, says Gaius. I presume it's a sticky one?

Yes, says Terence. When we get going I'll start.

Wonderful, says Gaius. And if you don't use the whole cake perhaps we might have a nibble.

You eat cake? says Camus.

On occasion, says Gaius. Now, as we're all here, and the shopping's done, let's continue our journey. 

Camus turns on the engine. Purrrr (it's electric).  And off they head to Saint Kilda.

I'll call up a picture on my phone if you like, says Gaius.

For me? says Terence.

No, for Camus, says Gaius. But as he's driving, you can look at it first.

He calls up a photo.

Here we are! Bright grass green upper parts, yellow underparts, orange belly patch. The trick is not to confuse it with an elegant parrot which looks rather similar.

Why would that confuse it? asks Terence.

Waca had wondered the same. But he has worse things to worry about. Where is the cake?

Terence has been wondering that too.

Where's the cake? I want to get started.

In the boot with the rest of the shopping, says Camus. I'll pull over.

He pulls over, pops the boot, and Gaius gets out.

Gaius reaches into the shopping bag of unhealthy treats, no apples, no carrots, no water or crackers.

Will he notice?

 Not yet. Because the orange cake is on top.

(always a sign of a practical packer).