You Need A Minder

Have you thought of a plan? asks one Tzeet.

Yes, says Roo-kai. I'll tell you when we arrive at the Spirit of Tasmania quay.

Why not now? asks the second Tzeet.

Because I can't be specific, says Roo-kai.

Not even a general idea? says the first Tzeet. Otherwise we'll worry.

Don't worry, says Roo-kai. Think about nice things. Think about that movie you saw at the zoo. Was it a good one?

O yes, say the first Tzeet. It was about a fat panda.

And where did they show it? asks Roo-kai.

Outside the café, says the Tzeet. On a smart phone.

You surprise me, says Roo-kai. I imagined it being shown in front of the panda enclosure.

Why? ask the Tzeets.

Because the pandas would have liked it, says Roo-kai.

No they wouldn't, says the second Tzeet. They only like bamboo.

So who was watching? asks Roo-kai.

A kid and her dad, says the second Tzeet. And us, behind them.

On a phone? says Roo-kai. At the zoo?

They were waiting for hot chips, says the first Tzeet.

For an hour and a half? says Roo-kai.

Ha ha, laugh the Tzeets. It wasn't that long!

So you didn't see all of the movie, says Roo-kai.

Yes we did, says the first Tzeet. It was short, like a minute. And then they got their hot chips, and the dad said aren't you glad we came and saw the real pandas? and the girl said yes and asked for a slushie.

It must have been a trailer, says Roo-kai. Did she get the slushie?

We don't know, says the second Tzeet. Our keeper came and took us back to the parrot cage.

I was wondering how you came to be at the café, says Roo-kai.

So were we, says the first Tzeet. We were glad when she found us.

You do need a minder, says Roo-kai. 

Does that mean you're coming with us on the ferry? cries the second Tzeet.

No it doesn't, says Roo-kai. All right, I'll tell you my plan. I'll ask a migrating wader to look after you on the ferry, and point you in the direction of Melaleuca when you disembark.

The Tzeets chew this over.

A migrating wader. Why would a migrating wader be taking the ferry?

What if there isn't one? asks the first Tzeet.

Then we go to plan B, says Roo-kai.

We? say the Tzeets, hopefully.

Plan B is to ask a passing albatross, petrel or shearwater, says Roo-kai. But they probably wouldn't want to come on board. They might agree to meet you in Devonport however...

This would mean sailing alone.

The Tzeets tremble.