The Old People

Du Fresne is in the bird hide, with the aunties.

The aunties are sharing tea from a flask.

Did anyone bring any biscuits? asks Auntie Flora.

Crackle crackle.

What's that sound? asks Auntie Leena.

It's coming from the lobster, says Auntie Doreen.

Someone is trying to contact me, says Du Fresne. 

One of your Old People? asks Auntie Leena.

I know not, says Du Fresne. Reception is bad.

Go outside then, says Auntie Doreen.

Shouldn't one of us go with him? asks Auntie Leena.

Are you volunteering? says Auntie Doreen.

Tie a string on him, suggests Auntie Flora.

Good thinking, Flo, says Auntie Doreen.

The aunties cackle.

Leena produces a string.

Du Fresne skitters out of the bird hide, attached to a string.

Crackle crackle.

Yes? says Du Fresne.

Baudin here, says Captain Baudin. Are you all right? We heard you've been taken by aunties.

Not so loud, says Du Fresne. They think you're one of the Old People.

Old people? says Captain Baudin. We are old lobsters, potentially immortal.

No need to explain it to me, says Du Fresne. 

Sorry, says Baudin. We've been worried. Why did you steal their canoe?

To see if it was seaworthy, says Du Fresne. 

I thought you were at a lagoon? says Baudin. 

Yes, all right, says Du Fresne. Lagoon-worthy.

And was it? asks Baudin.

I never found out, says Du Fresne. And now I'm to be re-educated by the aunties.

Where are you? asks Baudin.

In the bird hide, says Du Fresne. The aunties are drinking their tea. 

Auntie Doreen pokes her head out of the bird hide.

Time's up! says Auntie Doreen, yanking his string. 

Du Fresne scrapes his way back into the bird hide.

C'est humiliant!

How has his carefree seafaring life boiled down to this?