That Was Dogs

What happened over there? asks Camus.

A peregrine falcon swooped on Waca, says Gaius. 

What a joke, laughs Camus.

Not really, says Gaius. It could have had tragic results.

Of course, agrees Camus. But it seems to have recovered.

The peregrine falcon is upright, and scanning the sky.

Watch him, says Gaius.  

Why? asks Camus.

The peregrine falcon is the fastest bird on the planet, says Gaius.

So theoretically, says Camus, it could easily catch up with our orange-bellied parrots, and Roo-kai.

Theoretically, yes, says Gaius. But why should it? It can find closer prey.

I wasn't thinking of that, says Camus.

Gaius doesn't ask what he was thinking. 

The chocolate wrappers are beginning to annoy him. He is now holding three. The one from Camus's Crunchie, the one from his own Cherry Ripe, and the one from the Flake, which Camus handed him, as if he were the designated collector.

I'll just go and look for a bin, says Gaius. 

He heads for the car park.

He wonders if chocolate wrappers are recyclable. After all, they are shiny, like foil. But not aluminium, more like cellophane, so probably not. Perhaps he should keep them, and recycle them himself. But how would he use them?.... of course! glinting wrappers might keep the parrots from eating his apricots in the summer! Just the low ones. Good idea! But now I'm here (thinks Gaius) I may as well visit the toilet......

By the time he returns to the beach, the peregrine falcon has vanished.

Camus looks pleased with himself.

Did you watch him? asks Gaius.

More than that, says Camus. I persuaded him to catch up with Roo-kai, and inform him that the ferry leaves from Geelong.

This cannot end well, says Gaius. 

I didn't mention the orange-bellied parrots, says Camus.

Then the peregrine falcon will get a pleasant surprise, says Gaius. 

No, no, says Camus. We have an arrangement. I offered him a chocolate and he became ecstatic. So I promised him several more if he returns with good news.

Jupiter's gumballs! says Gaius. You don't offer birds chocolate! 

Merde! I thought that was just dogs, says Camus.