Hopeful Whispers

Nerida comes back with a pack of mini Freddos.

Chocolate frogs! says Katherine. How appropriate.

Can I have one? asks Terence.

They're for Arthur, says Nerida. But he might let you have one.

She pokes Arthur, who seems to have faded.

Arthur experiences a yellow and blue awakening.

Accompanied by a rustle of chocolate.

He lowers his oxygen mask.

Look what Nerida has brought you, says Katherine.

I might be allowed one, says Terence. 

Arthur reaches into the packet which Nerida has opened.

He pulls out a mini Freddo and tears at the foil wrapping.

Let me help you, says Katherine. I don't know why chocolate Freddos need wrapping twice.

They're for lunch boxes and parties, says Nerida. And the big packet keeps them together.

You'd think they could come up with something better, says Katherine.

Arthur is about to bite the head off his Freddo.

Its last thought is 'why?'

Arthur bites it.

Can I have one? asks Terence.

Can he? asks Nerida.

Okay, says Arthur.

As long as he doesn't eat it, says Gaius.

Inside the packet of mini Freddos a whispering arises.

He doesn't eat it? 

A mini Freddo is chosen by Nerida, and given to Terence.

Terence unwraps his Freddo.

Oh! says Katherine. Was it wise to unwrap it?

Yes, says Terence. I'm not allowed to eat it so I'm going to talk to it. Hello Freddy!

Freddy says nothing.

Until faint hopeful whispers arise from the packet.

Ask him why!

Why? asks Freddy.

Because you're coming on an adventure, says Terence. We're going camping. We've got a tent each. Well, you havent, but you'll be with me. 

Freddy likes the sound of camping.

So do his buddies. 

But their fate will be different.

One by one, they disappear into Arthur. 

Violet Clots

Nerida returns.

They've taken him to Gladstone Hospital for observation, says Nerida.

Good, says Katherine, one can't be too careful.

Why? asks Terence. You always tell me to be careful.

That's true, says Katherine. We should always be careful.

But not too careful, says Terence. 

I didn't mean that, says Katherine. Perhaps I confused you. 

You didn't, says Terence. 

What are we to do now? says Gaius.

Visit Arthur, says Nerida. He might be okay by tomorrow.

If he isn't, says Gaius, we'll have to leave for Krombit Tops without him.

He'll have no one! says Nerida.

Arthur is resilient, says Gaius. We can keep in touch by phone. And we'll be less than two hours away.

I guess so, says Nerida. But let's go to the hospital now, and see how he's doing. 

They leave Barney Point Beach and get into the 4WD Wagon that Gaius has hired.

They drive to the hospital.

Arthur is currently being observed. He is wearing an oxygen mask. He is breathing.

He sees a low sun spotted with mystic horrors, lighting up with long violet clots...

But he's seen them before. 

Hello Arthur! says Gaius. Feeling better?

Huuugh, says Arthur, disturbing the violet clots.

Good, says Gaius. Will you be ready to leave with us in the morning?

Muuuuh, mutters Arthur. 

A green night with dazzled snows, a kiss slowly rising.....unknown saps...

Guess what? says Terence. It's Easter and I'm getting a frog.

Never mind frogs, says Nerida. Arthur needs to get better

Choc...o...late,  mumbles Arthur. 

That was unexpected, says Gaius. 

Would you like us to go, Arthur? asks Katherine. Do you need need peace and quiet?

Wait! says Nerida. Theres a snack machine at the end of the corridor.

She heads off to see what it dispenses. 

Away From Their Sitchoo

Arthur's knee is once again cramping. He feels nauseous, and his heart rate increases.

This is more like it.

Two life guards come down with a stretcher.

And take him away.

I hope that wasn't my fault, says Gaius. I shouldn't have licked his knee.

No you shouldn't, says Katherine. Keep a watch on your tongue, in case it starts swelling.

I suppose I ought to, says Gaius. As a precaution, I'll rinse my mouth out with sea water.

He hurries down to the edge of the water, kicks off his crocs and paddles in.

He bends down, scoops a handful of seawater into his mouth, swishes and spits.

That should do it, says Gaius.

Terence has run back to Katherine.

What happened to Arthur?

He may have been stung after all, says Katherine.

By a jellyfish, says Nerida. But don't worry the life guards will look after him.

I wish I was stung, says Terence.

Do you want looking after? asks Katherine.

Yes, says Terence, because guess what? 

What? asks Katherine. 

It's Easter and nobody told me! says Terence.

Then how do you know? asks Nerida.

The kid told me, says Terence. HE'S getting chocolates.

We might do something, says Katherine. But it won't be chocolates.

I love chocolate, says Nerida.

Well, maybe for some of us, says Katherine. But it won't be today. Too much has happened. We need to find out where they've taken Arthur.

I'll find out, says Nerida.

She runs off in the direction the life guards took Arthur.

Gaius returns. 

I think I'm all right, says Gaius. Where did they take Arthur?

Nerida is finding out now, says Katherine. By the way, did you know it was Easter?

Easter? says Gaius. I hope that doesn't mean the shops will be closed.

They could well be, says Katherine. 

I usually get a present, says Terence. Like a horse or a pony.

This year you might get a frog, says Katherine. 

Only temporarily, says Gaius. If we are lucky enough to find one, we must leave it in situ.

What's sitchoo? asks Terence.

Where it is, says Gaius. 

I think you may have left your crocs in situ, says Katherine.

Gaius looks round.

His crocs are about to float away from their sitchoo.

He hastens to retrieve them.

Crazy Old Roman Remedy

Gaius has returned to the beach.

What's all the excitement? asks Gaius.

You've missed it, says Katherine. A shark followed Arthur and Nerida into the shallows. Arthur thought he'd been stung.

By a shark? asks Gaius.

No of course not, says Katherine. By a jellyfish.

Did he try spitting on it? asks Gaius.

No, says Katherine. It seems to have floated away.

The jellyfish? asks Gaius. 

And the shark, says Katherine. Nerida dealt with it. She's plucky.

Well done, Nerida, says Gaius.

It was so cool, says Nerida. 

How did you deal with it? asks Gaius. 

It wanted proof of something Arthur hadn't actually done, so I tricked it.

Yeouch! says Arthur.

Are you all right? asks Gaius. Were you in fact stung?

I didn't think so, says Arthur.

Lie back says Gaius. Show me the place and I'll lick it.

Arthur lies back and points to his knee. The scabby one.

There's no sign of a puncture, says Gaius. But here goes.

He bends down and licks Arthur's knee.

What crazy old Roman remedy are you trying? says Katherine.

There are certain people whose saliva relieves snake bite, says Gaius. It may work for jellyfish stings as well. At least it's worth trying. How does that feel, Arthur?

Better, says Arthur. You must be one of those people.

Don't count on it, says Katherine.

Gaius spits out a few scabs.

It's a small price to pay, to save Arthur from discomfort.

Fifteen Remember

 Arthur and Nerida have reached the shore.

They head up the beach to where Katherine is waiting.

Arthur was stung by a poisonous jellyfish, says Nerida. He needs first aid fast.

Katherine looks at Arthur.

How are you feeling?

Not as bad as I hoped, says Arthur.

Funny boy, says Katherine. 

Sit down, says Nerida. I'll tell the life guards.

She goes off before Arthur can tell her not to bother.

Relax, says Katherine. Not everyone dies of these things.

It might have been a false alarm, says Arthur.

Nevertheless, we should get you checked out, says Katherine

Nerida returns with a life guard.

Stung were we? says the life guard. Show me the damage.

Arthur can't, because there's no visible damage. 

Except for a few scabs, which are old.

Shark! cries someone. 

Shit! cries the life guard. It's in the shallows! 

It's there for me, says Arthur. 

You're delirious! says the life guard. I'll call an ambulance.

No he's not delirious, says Nerida. Let me deal with this. Arthur where's your phone?

I've got it, says Katherine. Why do you want it?

Password? says Nerida.

Arthur gives her the password: SWEE3U.

She finds the photo app. and scrolls backwards in time.

When was this bus campaign? asks Nerida.

Last year, says Arthur. But we never got round to doing it.

Oh, says Nerida. But you did take the photo?

Yes, says Arthur. Sweezus took it, it'll be on his phone.

Nerida finds Sweezus's number and texts him. SEND SHARK PHOTO ASAP.

Luckily Sweezus is alert. He is also not busy. He sends it.

THX, replies Nerida.

She googles Adelaide Metro images, and locates a shot of the back of a bus

She then photoshops the smiling picture of Speedy and Great White Teacher onto it.

( If this sounds too hard, she is fifteen remember ).

Sorted, says Nerida.

She runs down to the shallows with the phone.

Speedy is waiting. Everyone else has got out of the water.

See! says Nerida. Looks great, doesn't it? 

Speedy can see that it does. He has good news to tell Great White Teacher.

He turns and zooms off.

He stops, turns again, comes back to Nerida.

How's Arthur?

He might have been faking, says Nerida. He seems quite okay.

Tell him I respect that, says Speedy.

And with a flick of his tail, he's away.

We Have Proper Faces

Move sideways, says Arthur. 

Nerida moves sideways.

It's one of those jellyfish, says Arthur.

A poisonous one, says Speedy. 

Yikes, says Nerida. I've heard they can kill you.

You have up to two hours, says Speedy.

Nerida looks for the jellyfish. Has it floated away?

At best, says Speedy. Some people get symptons within minutes.

Come on, Arthur, says Nerida. We should get going.

You go, says Speedy. Arthur is staying.

Ow! says Arthur. I've been stung!

Arthur's not staying, says Nerida. He's coming with me.

Arthur has muscle cramps. 

So he says.

Hurry, says Nerida. You might only have minutes.

I'll be right behind you, says Speedy. 

No need, says Nerida. 

Sharks are Friendly, says Speedy.

Okay, says Nerida.

They all swim for the shore, including Arthur.

His muscle cramps are minor.

The irukandji jellyfish follows.

I see you, you little fucker, says Speedy. Fuck off.

I didn't do it, says the irukandji jellyfish.

Don't give me that, says Speedy.

It's not like I wanted to eat him, says the irukandji jellyfish.

I bet you didn't, says Speedy.

How come you care? asks the irukandji jellyfish.

He and his buddy set up our 'Sharks are Friendly' campaign, says Speedy. I was just asking him to show me the photos.

And don't tell me, he couldn't, says the irukandji jellyfish.

Well, no, says Speedy. That's why I'm following him to the shore. 

Not because Sharks are Friendly? says the irukandji jellyfish.

To have a look at his phone, says Speedy. He'll have left it on the beach somewhere. And if he's got a photo to show me, I'm off to tell Great White Teacher. Job done.

Hmm, says the irukandji jellyfish.

What does that mean? asks Speedy.

Just processing the information, says the irukandji jellyfish. Think it would work for us jellies?

No way, says Speedy. You guys kill people.

So do you guys, says the irukandji jelly.

But the difference is, we know how to look friendly, says Speedy. We have proper faces. You don't.

The irukandji jelly has to admit this is true.

Not Smiling Friendly

Nerida stops swimming, and treads water.

What are you doing out here? asks Arthur.

I saw you, and thought I'd surprise you, says Nerida.

You surprised me, says Arthur. And probably Speedy.

Definitely, says Speedy. Come closer, girlie.

I'm not going closer to a shark, says Nerida. 

It's okay, says Arthur. He spotted me swimming and came up to ask me a question.

No kidding, says Nerida. This has to be the weirdest thing that's ever happened.

It's just business, says Speedy.

We go back a long way, says Arthur. Speedy was just enquiring about the publicity campaign 'Sharks are Friendly'.

Heard of it? asks Speedy. 

No, says Nerida, before Arthur kicks her leg under water, to warn her not to.

On the back of a bus? says Speedy. A friendly shark photo?

Maybe, says Nerida. Yes, come to think of it.

Was I in it? asks Speedy.

Yes, says Nerida. It did look like you.

Anyone else ? asks Speedy.

I can't remember, says Nerida. 

Was I smiling like this? asks Speedy, smiling, but not in a good way.

More friendly, says Nerida.

There's a reason I'm not smiling friendly, says Speedy. 

Come on, says Arthur. It was more than a year ago. 

The thing is, says Speedy, Great White Teacher never did see any proof that it happened.

It happened, says Arthur. It was a popular campaign. People saw that photo of you and Great White Teacher smiling on the back of a bus and became much more trusting.

Did they? asks Speedy.

For a while, says Nerida. Campaigns have to be ongoing.

What are you suggesting? asks Speedy.

A bus campaign doesn't last forever, says Nerida. And also, there've been lots of shark attacks recently.

You seem like a smart little cookie, says Speedy. Maybe you should watch out behind you.

What for? asks Nerida.

She turns in the water but doesn't see what's behind her.

It is tiny.

An irukandji jellyfish, with long poisonous tentacles.

Arthur has seen it.

He wonders how it would feel to be stung.

 

Reality Rubs

Katherine and Nerida arrive at Barney Point Beach.

Nerida is wearing a swimsuit.

Did Arthur have the credit cards? asks Katherine.

Yes, says Gaius. And he left them with Terence.

And guess what? says Terence.

You lost them, says Katherine.

No, Arthur's reality rubbed off, says Terence.

Reliability, says Gaius. Yes, Terence was in charge of our credit cards, while Arthur went swimming.

Is he still swimming? asks Nerida.

I suppose so, says Gaius. But I wouldn't advise you to join him. He tends to swim out too far.

I'll just swim till I see him, says Nerida. Then I'll attract his attention.

Off you go then, says Katherine.

Nerida heads for the sea.

She can see someone way out there. It has to be Arthur.

She swims out, in his direction.

I suppose I'll have to wait for her, says Katherine. Oh well, there are worse things.

She puts on a hat, and sits down beside Terence.

I'll go and pay for the hire of our car, says Gaius. Here's your credit card.

He goes, leaving Katherine with Terence and the kid.

My parents don't have credit cards, says the kid. 

How do they manage? asks Katherine.

They've got payment apps on their phones, says the kid.

Perhaps I should get one, says Katherine. But then, what if...

Look! cries Terence. Nerida's gone under the water.

Maybe a shark got her, says the kid. Or a jelly. 

She wouldn't be scared of a jelly, says Terence,

She should be, says the kid. They have poisonous tentacles!

I can see her! says Katherine. She's swum all the way out to Arthur.

Katherine is right. Nerida has swum all the way out to Arthur.

And now she is wishing she hadn't.

What Reliability Looks Like

Pity your shorts don't have pockets, says Arthur.

They have eyes, says Terence. 

But nowhere to keep credit cards, says Arthur.

I've got pockets, says the kid.

How long are you staying? asks Arthur.

All day, says the kid.

Why do you care? asks Terence.

Unfinished business, says Arthur.

Do you want to go swimming again? asks the kid.

Yes, says Arthur. But our friends are coming to pick up their credit cards.

I'll hold them, says Terence.

Can I trust you? asks Arthur.

Yes, says Terence. You can.

Arthur gives Terence the cards and heads for the water.

Want me to put them in my pocket? asks the kid.

No, says Terence. I have to hold them.

What if you drop them? asks the kid.

I won't drop them, says Terence. I've got a claw.

He shows him his claw.

Awesome claw! says the kid. Where did you get it?

From my blood brother, says Terence. And he's got my finger.

Is he a bird? asks the kid.

Yes, says Terence. Baby BB.

Was it a cement finger? asks the kid.

Of course it was, says Terence. It was mine.

The bird got a bad deal, says the kid.

No, he wanted it, says Terence.

Perhaps it is time to change the subject.

I used to live on a palace, says Terence.

Like a pigeon? asks the kid.

No way, says Terence. But I had to keep still all the time.

What happened if you didn't? asks the kid.

I got whacked by Saint Joseph, says Terence. 

What was he doing up there? asks the kid.

Making furniture, says Terence.

So HE must have been moving, says the kid. Making furniture, and whacking.

It was his job, says Terence.

You should've complained, says the kid.

Terence is about to explain why it was no use complaining when Gaius arrives.

Gaius looks around for Arthur. Where are the credit cards?

I've got them, says Terence. 

So you have. Well I never! says Gaius. Some of Arthur's reliability must have rubbed off on you.

Terence wonders what Arthur's reliability looks like.

No Problem, Meaning

Where's my phone? asks Arthur.

I put it down, says Terence.

Whereabouts? asks Arthur.

Where I was, says Terence.

You should retrace your footsteps, says the kid, who is still standing there.

Okay, says Terence. This is what they look like.

He does a small dance in the sand.

That doesn't help much, says Arthur.

Do two steps and stop, says the kid.

Terence does two steps and stops

Now we need to find a trail of footsteps like these, says the kid.

Are you a detective? asks Terence.

Yes, says the kid, although he actually isn't.

Arthur spots a trail of Terence's footprints. 

He sprints up to the place where they stop. 

Cool. It's also the place where his phone is.

He picks up his phone.

Gaius is talking.

Anyone? says Gaius. Please answer!

Hey, says Arthur. It's me. I've been swimming.

I fear I've sent Terence into the sea, says Gaius. 

He's out now, says Arthur. He didn't get far.

And do you have our credit cards? asks Gaius.

Yes, says Arthur. In my pocket. What has it stopped you from buying?

You have delayed Katherine from purchasing tents, and me from hiring a four wheel drive vehicle, says Gaius. But that can now be resolved. Where are you?

Barney's Point Beach, says Arthur. It's pretty lame, but it's the closest.

We shall arrive shortly, says Gaius. Stay where you are, Arthur.

I might go swimming again, says Arthur.

Don't! says Gaius. Not till we get there.

If I do, I'll leave the credit cards with Terence, says Arthur.

Please don't, says Gaius. His new shorts have no pockets.

Not a problem, says Arthur.

Which Gaius takes to mean that Arthur will delay going swimming.

But Arthur may have meant something different.

I Put Me Here

Terence has run down to the sea.

He is not supposed to go in it.

But no one who knows that is there.

He steps into the water.

He can see Arthur swimming.

He waves. 

Arthur hasn't seen him.

Terence goes a bit further in.

It's actually fun. His feet are sinking.

A wave comes.

Arthur still hasn't seen him.

Terence's head is above water. 

In a minute surely Arthur will see him.

But Arthur does not.

Other beach-goers do.

Look, says someone. There's a statue half-submerged in the water!

I could have stubbed my toe on it, says someone else.

Who would have put it there? asks the first person.

Me, says Terence. I put me here. And soon I'll have vanished.

It's a real boy! says a kid. Not a statue.

I just look like a statue when I can't move my feet, says Terence.

Do you want us to help you out? asks the kid.

Yes, says Terence. 

One of the adults gets behind Terence, and yanks him upwards. Thwurp!

Yay! says Terence. I'm saved.

Who are you here with? asks the adult.

Him, says Terence, pointing out to sea where Arthur can be seen swimming.

If it is Arthur.

The swimmer who may or may not be Arthur, has stopped swimming.

Some splashing ensues. 

A fin circles the splashing.

That guy's in trouble! says the adult. There's a shark out there.

More splashing can be seen, at the shark site.

Waa! cries Terence. Save him! He has the credit cards!

The adults laugh. Credit cards! Then they stop laughing. It's not funny.

A life saving boat zooms out towards the splashing.

But by the time they get there, all is calm. 

No trace of the shark or the swimmer.

Meanwhile Arthur has swum back to where Terence is waiting.

Was that a SHARK? asks one of the adults.

It was, says Arthur. 

Looks like you were lucky, says the adult. And so was your statue boy. He was sinking.

I nearly vanished, says Terence.

Why were you in the water? asks Arthur.

Gaius called you. You've got the credit cards, says Terence. 

Have I? says Arthur. 

He zips open his pocket. 

Yes, he still has the credit cards. 

He really does live a charmed life. 

Blind Corners

 Katherine and Nerida leave Greedy in the hotel room, and go shopping.

They go to a camping shop, and look at small tents.

Going camping? asks the assistant. 

Yes, says Katherine. In Kroombit Tops National Park.

We're looking for Kroombit Tinker frogs, says Nerida.

Aren't they extinct? asks the assistant.

No, says Katherine. Some that were bred in captivity have been released lately.

That's cool, says the assistant. You must really like camping.

I do not, says Katherine. 

Then you must, says the assistant, looking at Nerida.

I've never done it, says Nerida. But I really like frogs.

Good luck then, says the assistant. Do you want a tent each?

Four tents, says Katherine. There are four of us.

And Terence, says Nerida.

So, five, says the assistant. I hope you have a large vehicle.

We'll be going by bus, says Katherine.

There is no bus, says the assistant. It's four wheel drive only. Narrow unsealed roads and lots of blind corners.

That could be a problem, says Nerida. 

Gaius will have to hire a four wheel drive vehicle, says Katherine. I'll call him.

Gaius is in the Gladstone Tourist Information office, enquiring about buses.

Hello, Gaius? says Katherine.

I've just learned that there are no buses, says Katherine.

So have I, says Gaius. We'll have to hire a four wheel drive vehicle.

Yes, says Katherine. Where can we do that?

I'll find out, says Gaius.

I'm buying us tents, says Katherine. One each. I'm about to pay for them now.

Luxury indeed, says Gaius. See you later.

Katherine takes out her wallet.

Where is her credit card? Drat! Arthur still has it.

I'll have to come back, says Katherine to the assistant. Hold those tents for me.

Okay, says the assistant.

Gaius has gone to the Budget car hire business near the Tourist Information Centre and is hiring a four wheel drive vehicle.

Any one will do, says Gaius. As long as it's big enough for four people.

He is about to pay for a week's hire of a 4x4 Wagon when he remembers that Arthur still has his credit card.

He calls Katherine.

And learns that she has the same problem.

And where is Arthur?

He and Terence went down to the beach, says Nerida. 

Curses! says Gaius. Which one?

Call him, says Nerida.

But Arthur doesn't answer.

Terence does.

Hello, says Terence. This is me. 

Terence, where is Arthur? asks Gaius.

Swimming, says Terence. 

Can you attract his attention? asks Gaius. 

Yes, says Terence. 

He has our credit cards, says Gaius. And neither Katherine nor I can purchase anything.

Woo! says Terence. I'll run into the water and get him.

Crackle.

The call ends.

Jumping Jupiter! says Gaius. I've just sent Terence into the sea!

All In The Face

The plane has landed in Gladstone.

Now what? asks Katherine.

We catch a bus to Kroombit Tops, says Gaius. I'll find out when it goes.

Hold your horses, says Katherine. We don't have any camping equipment.

But the weather is fine, says Gaius.

I am not camping in Kroombit Tops without a tent, says Katherine. Not to mention supplies. 

Yes, we should go shopping first, says Nerida. We need water and cheese and dry biscuits, and maybe some apples..

I had intended to ask you to do that, says Gaius.

We could stay in Gladstone overnight, says Arthur. In a hotel. While we get organised.

Good thinking, Arthur, says Gaius.

They take a shuttle bus into Gladstone. The bus drops them outside the Gladstone Grand Hotel.

Arthur goes in and, five minutes later, comes out again

I've booked two double rooms, says Arthur. I just need to show them a credit card.

Take mine, says Gaius. I hope these double rooms aren't expensive,

I always get a good deal, says Arthur.

So it will be me and Nerida in one room, you and Arthur in the other, says Katherine.

Naturally, says Gaius. And who will have Terence?

I should choose, says Terence.

Go on, says Katherine. 

I choose Gaius and Arthur, says Terence.

Good choice, says Nerida. All the boys together.

And Greedy, says Terence. She's a girl though.

Maybe we should have Greedy, says Nerida. We could try and fix her up properly.

Okay, says Terence. Where is she?

In my pocket, says Arthur. He zips open the pocket and takes Greedy out.

She looks terrible! says Nerida. 

No wonder, says Katherine. After all she's been through.

Greedy's face does indeed look like the face of someone who has been blown up, pierced with pencils, deflated, plastered, left on a plane in a squeeze bag, found by a handsome captain, returned to her fellow travellers and shoved into a dark pocket with a key leash and drain hole for the descent into Gladstone.

If a face can show that.

Pocket Of Darkness

 Cabin crew, prepare for landing, says the captain.

That was fast, says Katherine. I've only just finished my cup of tea.

Yes, it's a short hop, says Gaius. He gathers his papers.

You should have used Nerida's stapler, says Katherine.

I did, as you know, says Gaius. And I stapled some pages out of order, as a consequence of which I made use of the staple remover. What a business! And now one or two pages seem to be missing.

They aren't missing. I have them, says Katherine.

Excellent, says Gaius. Where are they?

In my handbag, says Katherine. Stuck together.

With a staple? asks Gaius.

No, says Katherine. With protein salad.

Curses, says Gaius. I blame myself. I ordered that salad.

And I ate it, says Katherine. So I am also to blame. But don't fret. When we land I'll take the papers into the ladies, and wet them.

Gaius is shocked, for a moment.

With tap water, says Katherine. 

They fasten their seat belts for landing.

A few rows forward, Nerida, Terence and Arthur also fasten their seat belts.

The flight attendant comes by, to check.

Don't forget your toy this time, says the flight attendant, to Terence.

What toy? asks Terence.

She means Greedy, says Nerida. Where is she?

I'm sitting on her, says Terence.

Why? asks Nerida.

Because these shorts don't have a pocket, says Terence. 

Maybe Arthur has a pocket, says Nerida. 

Most boardshorts have a pocket, says Arthur. 

He feels for a pocket. Yes, there's a side pocket. 

He unzips it. Feels inside.

Key leash. Drain hole. A great pocket

Can Greedy go in it? asks Terence.

Okay, says Arthur.

At least she won't get left behind, says Nerida.

Terence wriggles Greedy out from underneath him.

He hands Greedy to Arthur. 

Arthur shoves Greedy into his pocket and zips it.

It's dark in the pocket. The boardshorts are black, with rust stains (or gum blossoms).

The plane begins its descent into Gladstone.

Greedy is reminded of Terence's poem:

"Greedy has died....."

What The Captain Did Next

Well? says Terence.

Greedy is exhausted, says Nerida. Let her rest.

But what did the handsome captain do next? asks Terence.

I don't know, says Nerida. What do you think, Arthur?

Let's work backwards from what we know, says Arthur.

Clever, says Nerida. What do we know?

She was placed here where Terence would find her, says Arthur.

Someone who knew where Terence would be sitting, says Nerida.

A spy! says Terence. 

Who would be spying on Terence? asks Nerida.

No one, says Arthur.

Maybe they were spying on Greedy, says Terence.

Who would be spying on Greedy? asks Nerida.

Ask her, says Arthur. Blow her up again.

Nerida is about to blow Greedy up again when the drinks trolley comes by.

Any drinks? asks the trolley attendant. Oh, I see you've found your pink toy!

Are you a spy? asks Terence.

No, says the trolley attendant. Were you surprised to find it?

Yes, says Terence. And she's gone flat again.

She keeps doing that, says the trolley attendant. 

Do YOU know what happened? asks Nerida.

I do, says the trolley assistant. The captain on your flight from Adelaide to Brisbane found her and handed her in.

Do captains always look for lost toys? asks Arthur. 

Not normally, says the trolley attendant. But your toy was making peculiar noises.

Like a bomb? asks Terence.

TERENCE! says Nerida. 

Did someone say bomb? asks a nearby passenger.

False alarm, says the trolley attendant. This boy was talking about his pink toy. Don't worry, it's been through security.

What are those patches on the toy? asks the passenger. 

Airline plasters, says trolley attendant. Please return to your seat.

The passenger returns to his seat. Airline plasters! Who knew?

Next time he gets a scratch on a plane he will ask for one.

Follow Wup

The plane takes off, for Gladstone.

Nerida blows Greedy up again.

Now ask her how she got here, says Nerida. But be quick.

Greedy, says Terence. How did you get from the first plane to second plane without us?

The question is long.

Greedy is going down all the time Terence is asking it.

I.....phoo.....wup, says Greedy. 

Which is all she can manage.

She flew up, says Terence.

I don't think she said that, says Nerida.

Threw up? says Arthur.

Nor that, says Nerida. It was just the sound that you make when you're running out of puff and then you stop suddenly.

With a 'wup', says Arthur.

Let's try again, says Nerida. This time ask a much shorter question

Let me think of one first, says Terence.

Just say 'Well?', suggests Arthur. As a follow wup.

Stop making me laugh, Arthur, says Nerida. I can't blow when I'm laughing.

She stops laughing and blows Greedy up again. She replaces the bread tie, and presses on the dodgy plaster, to make Greedy last longer.

Well? says Terence.

You left me behind and along came a handsome captain, says Greedy. So handsome, and he plucked me out of the squeeze bag and pressed me to his chest, well kind of, and he huuuuuh.....

Woo! says Terence. A handsome captain. Blow Greedy up again. 

I am, says Nerida, blowing Greedy up again.

Well? says Terence.

Put his hand inside me, and moved it, says Greedy

Handsome AND brave, says Nerida.

Brave? says Terence. 

Greedy could have been a bomb, says Nerida.

Were you a bomb? asks Terence.

Nooo....says Greedy, fading again.

Please Crackle Forward

Passengers for flight mumburr dingle gladbone do Gate Seven!

It's an airport announcement.

We should go to the boarding gate, says Katherine. That was probably us.

Katherine, Gaius, Arthur, Nerida and Terence head for Gate Seven.

I hope it's the same plane, says Terence.

It won't be, says Katherine.

So what will happen to Greedy? asks Terence.

She'll fly to wherever the plane that you left her on is going, says Nerida. 

Unless the cleaners have found her, says Katherine.

Then what? asks Terence. 

Bin, says Arthur.

She can talk, says Terence. She'll say Help me!

That would freak out the cleaner, says Nerida.

Ha ha, laughs Terence. Greedy will freak out the cleaner. 

Boarding crackle combom, passengers with mumbum please crackle forward, announces the desk attendant.

Is that us? asks Gaius.

Who knows? says Katherine. But people are moving. Let's join the queue.

They shuffle on board for their flight to Gladstone.

They look for their seats.

This is you, Terence, says Nerida. Next to me and Arthur.

Terence climbs into his seat.

He is face to face with a squeeze bag.

In it is a card showing what to do in an emergency.

And from behind the card, protrudes a pink finger.

Guess what? says Terence. 

What? asks Nerida.

This is a mystery! says Terence.

He points to the finger.

Looks like it, says Arthur. Unless people leave pink rubber gloves behind on planes all the time.

Nerida pulls at the finger.

A pink rubber glove looking like Greedy, with identical plasters but completely deflated, comes out.

How could this happen? asks Nerida.

Interference, says Arthur.

Like what? asks Nerida.

Magic, says Terence. I'm going to ask her what happened.

I'll blow her up again, says Nerida.

She takes off the bread tie and blows Greedy up again.

Ooh! says Greedy. Where am I? Where is....what ha...phloooo...

She doesn't last long, says Nerida.

Left In The Squeeze Bag

Nerida returns to Lord Lamington, with a Surf Dive 'n Ski bag.

These are the old shorts, says Nerida.

What happened to Arthur and Terence? asks Katherine.

Coming, says Nerida. Terence is doing a lap of the airport, in his new ones.

He must like them, says Katherine.

He does, says Katherine. They have weird diamond patterns that he thinks look like eyes.

Perhaps we can finally get rid of the gecko shorts, says Katherine.

Better not, says Nerida. He wanted to keep them.

Did he tell you what for? asks Katherine.

For Greedy, says Nerida.

Gaius looks up from his cocktail.

Terence has a strange idea of anatomy, says Gaius.

Did he mean Greedy should wear them? asks Katherine.

No, it was just to wrap her up in, says Nerida. 

A kind thought, says Katherine. 

Terence runs up to the table.

Guess what? cries Terence. I can see in every direction!

Arthur is not far behind him. He is wearing new boardies.

Nice shorts, says Katherine. Come closer.

Arthur comes closer.

Oh! says Katherine. Tiny gum blossoms and skeleton leaves. From a distance I thought they were rust stains.

So did I, says Arthur. But I got them anyway.

Terence has turned his back on everyone.

Do a sign and I'll see you!

Nerida does a thumbs up.

Terence turns round quickly, and sticks up his thumb.

That's right, says Nerida. But you cheated.

I didn't, says Terence. The shorts might have cheated.

They're very nice shorts, says Katherine. I do like the eyes. And I hear you're giving your old shorts to Greedy.

Yes, says Terence. Where is Greedy?

Everyone tries to remember when they last saw Greedy.

You were talking to her on the plane, says Katherine.

She was trying to remember bad things, says Terence.

She had that slow leak, says Katherine. Was she getting thinner?

YES! says Terence. So I put her in a squeeze bag.

What squeeze bag? asks Katherine.

In front of my seat, says Terence. A squeeze bag.

Do you mean the magazine bag? asks Nerida. Was it see-through?

Wah! cries Terence. 

He has left Greedy behind on the plane.

Deep Red

Gaius picks up a piece of cauliflower popcorn.

How did your shopping go, Katherine? 

I didn't buy anything, says Katherine.

That's good, says Nerida. Self-discipline.

Me too, says Terence. I didn't buy anything.

I asked him if he'd like a new pair of shorts, says Katherine. But he prefers his old gecko shorts.

Are those geckoes? asks Nerida. You can't even tell.

Maybe they need a wash, says Terence.

They'd probably fall apart, says Katherine.

Then what? asks Terence.

You'd have to get new ones, says Katherine. Maybe I should have insisted.

Okay, says Terence. Let's go back.

Too late, says Katherine. I'm here now. I'm going to order a cocktail.

Which one? asks Nerida. 

Citrus Sunset sounds nice, says Katherine.

I wish I was old enough to drink cocktails, says Nerida.

Take me to the shops, says Terence.

We'll both go, says Arthur.

He waits for Katherine to offer him her credit card.

She does. 

Here Arthur, take my credit card. And buy yourself some new board shorts as well. 

Arthur, Nerida and Terence go off to the Surf Dive 'n Ski shop.

Whatever is this? asks Gaius, waving a cauliflower popcorn at Katherine.

She takes a bite.

Mm, says Katherine. Crunchy roasted cauliflower. Very tasty.

Where did Arthur go? asks Gaius, who up to now has been dividing his attention between examining the popcorn cauliflower and wiping grease off the stapler.

To buy some new board shorts, says Katherine. On me.

Very kind of you Katherine, says Gaius.

Katherine orders two Citrus Sunsets, one for her, one for Gaius.

Ginger beer, gin, triple sec, cranberry, lime. 

A deep red drink.

Gaius has to admit it's quite nice.

Dancing In Shorts

The plane lands at Brisbane Airport.

It's two hours till their flight to Gladstone.

I'll take a look at the shops, says Katherine. Who wants to come with me?

Me, says Terence.

I'll come, says Nerida. Coming Arthur?

But Arthur wants to get something to eat.

Let's find a quiet table, says Gaius. Arthur can eat something while helping me re-organise my notes on the Kroombit Tinker.

Isn't that my job? asks Nerida.

But you want to go shopping, says Gaius. 

I changed my mind, says Nerida.

So Katherine and Terence go shopping.

They pass Surf Dive 'n Ski.

I wonder if Arthur would like a new pair of board shorts? asks Katherine.

No he wouldn't, says Terence. He likes his old ones.

How about you? asks Katherine. I know you love those old gecko shorts.

Yes, says Terence. They have memories in different places. These geckoes have orange eyes from when I spilled orange juice and this is the one I saved from the bird poo.

Why this one? says Katherine. 

Camus folded the gecko shorts so only one gecko would touch poo, but I saved him.

Camus? asks Katherine.

The gecko, says Terence. I gave Camus my parrot shorts and he used them to wipe the poo off the police car.

So you'd been wearing the parrot shorts, says Katherine. 

And they got ruined, says Terence. Lucky I had these.

He dances about in his memory-rich gecko shorts.

Katherine gives up on the shopping.

She calls Gaius. Where are you? asks Katherine. 

At Lord Lamington's, says Gaius. In the corner.

Katherine and Terence soon find them in the Lord Lamington corner.

Gaius has notes spread all over the table.

A bowl of popcorn cauliflower sits on top of a frog illustration.

A classic cheeseburger, already half eaten, sits on page four.

A protein salad sits in the middle of a blank page of conclusions.

This is untidy, says Katherine. There's food on the notes.

My fault, says Gaius. I should have sat at a separate table.

That salad looks nice, says Katherine.

You're welcome to it, says Gaius. Who would have expected it to contain a tomato?

Katherine eats the tomato.

And the chicken, egg, lettuce, spanish onion, and cucumber as well.

First Worst Thing

Terence takes charge of Greedy.

You're fixed, says Terence. 

Why did you laugh just now? asks Greedy.

You've got a slow leak, says Terence. Know what that means?

I'm not properly fixed, says Greedy.

So keep your mouth shut, says Terence. 

That's not where my slow leak is, says Greedy.  

Where is it? asks Terence. 

Under the plaster, says Greedy. It's loose.

It's got blood on it, says Terence.

I know, says Greedy.

Katherine said you've seen worse, says Terence.

I may have, says Greedy. 

Can't you remember? asks Terence.

No, says Greedy. My memories don't go back that far.

What's the last thing you remember? asks Terence.

You, asking me a stupid question, says Greedy.

What was it? asks Terence.

You should have asked me what's the FIRST thing I remember, says Greedy.

THAT would be a stupid question, says Terence.

No it wouldn't, says Greedy. What's the first thing you remember?

Now Terence realises that he should have asked Greedy that question.

Okay, says Terence. What is it?

How would I know? says Greedy.

Because it's the first thing after what you've forgotten, says Terence.

But I asked YOU, says Greedy.

Terence tries to remember the first thing he remembers.

Getting whacked with a spade, says Terence. By Saint Joseph.

That's a good one. Now me, says Greedy.

At last! says Terence.

The first thing I remember is Hedley blowing me up, says Greedy. 

Was that the worst thing? asks Terence.

I don't think so, says Greedy.

I thought it would be cleaning the toilet, says Terence.

I'd remember that, says Greedy.

Is Terence imagining it, or does she already look thinner?

A Slow Leak

You've got the same plaster as Greedy, says Terence.

I know, says Gaius. Can you guess where it came from?

Where? asks Terence.

Greedy's face, says Gaius. I injured my finger on a staple. I'm sure Greedy won't mind.

How do you know? asks Terence.

I've just put her back in the pencil box, says Katherine. Let's see how she's looking.

Katherine opens the pencil box.

There! says Katherine.

Where's her face? asks Terence.

She's face down, says Katherine. But you can turn her.

Terence turns Greedy.

Greedy may be dead, but she is determined to make the most of this moment.

She attempts an expression of pathos.

Yikes! says Terence.

What is it? asks Katherine.

Something's wrong with her mouth, says Terence.

Shall we blow her up again? asks Katherine. Oh wait, no we can't, unless Gaius no longer has need of the plaster.

Terence looks at Gaius, who is fiddling with the staple remover.

Have you finished with the plaster? asks Terence.

It's finished with me, says Gaius. It won't stick properly.

Can Greedy have it back? asks Terence.

I would prefer to discard it, says Gaius, pulling the plaster off his finger.

Greedy won't mind, says Terence. 

How do you know? asks Gaius. What about the blood? 

She's a rubber glove, says Katherine. She'll have seen worse things.

Like what? asks Terence.

Never mind, says Katherine.

I'm going to ask her, says Terence.

Fine, says Katherine, give me the plaster.

Gaius gives her the plaster, and examines his finger. It's already stopped bleeding.

Katherine replaces Greedy's plaster.

She removes Greedy's bread tie and blows Greedy up.

She replaces the bread tie.

Greedy is cock-a-hoop.

I can't thank you enough, dear Katherine! says Greedy

Take it easy, says Katherine. You may have a slow leak

Ha ha! laughs Terence.

A slow leak would be funny.

New-Fangled Devices

Gaius has finished his snack and his coffee.

So has Katherine.

Terence is quiet.

Greedy is wondering what happens next.

I think, says Katherine, since Greedy is to remain dead a bit longer, we should open the pencil box and put her back in it.

Excellent idea, says Gaius. And we can determine how many pencils were damaged.

Katherine opens the pencil box.

There are three pencils inside, two are broken, one is undamaged.

Hand me the good one, says Gaius. I may as well use it.

Katherine hands him the undamaged pencil.

Gaius picks up his re-stapled notes, and starts checking through them.

Curses! says Gaius.

What's wrong? asks Katherine.

Pages three and four are out of order, says Gaius. And I've stapled them now. This is the trouble with new-fangled ideas such as staplers.

Fortunately, says Katherine, there are other new-fangled ideas such as staple removers.

Are there? says Gaius. Terence, would you mind asking Nerida if she has a new-fangled staple removing device?

Ask for a staple remover, says Katherine. She won't appreciate the term new-fangled.

Is it rude? asks Terence.

No, but somewhat curmudgeonly, says Katherine.

Okay, says Terence. He gets down from his seat and runs up the aisle to ask Nerida.

Gaius picks at the staple.

Ouch! says Gaius, sucking his finger.

You ought to have waited, says Katherine. Are you bleeding?

Yes, I am, says Gaius.

Here, says Katherine. Have one of Greedy's plasters.

She rips one off Greedy's face and gives it to Gaius.

He presses it to the wound on his bleeding finger.

It doesn't stick properly.

He curses again.

Terence returns with a staple remover.

There you see, says Katherine. She had one. 

Gaius reaches out to take the staple remover from Terence.

Which is when Terence notices the plaster.

Hopeful Round Eyes

Yuck! This red drink is disgusting, says Terence.

Let me try it, says Gaius.

He tries it.

Beetroot and ginger. Quite refreshing and zingy.

Would you like me to add a little water? asks Katherine.

No, says Terence. I want my dead Greedy.

Perhaps you should have told the flight attendant not to take her, says Katherine. 

You asked for plasters, says Terence.

We can always take them off again, says Katherine.

Terence imagines this happening:

Greedy is fixed, with plasters, blown up, and sealed with a bread tie.

She says thanks, I thought I had died.

And Terence says, you HAD died. I wrote you a poem. 

And Greedy says, what is it?

And Terence says, it's not finished. There's going to be a surprise ending.

Then Greedy will look excited.

And Terence will have to decide what the surprise ending is. 

Will he rip off the plasters?

The flight attendant is now on her way back, having plastered the pencil holes in Greedy.

Here's your toy, Terence, says the flight attendant. All fixed up.

She's still dead, says Terence.

But now we can blow her up, says Katherine.

Yes, I didn't want to do it myself, says the flight attendant. Health and safety.

Terence takes Greedy, and looks at her face, with the plasters.

Greedy looks back at Terence, with hopeful round eyes.

I wrote you a poem, says Terence. If you stay dead you can hear it.

Not really, says Katherine. If she stays dead she can't hear it. Give her to me.

Not yet, says Terence. Greedy wants to stay dead a bit longer.

Poor Greedy. She doesn't!

But the trouble with being dead is you don't have a say.

Surprise Ending

You'd better go back to your seat, says Nerida. The trolley is coming.

Okay, says Terence.

He takes Greedy with him, and goes back to Katherine and Gaius.

Guess what, says Terence. I've been making a poem.

About Greedy? asks Katherine.

Yes, says Terence, Greedy has died it wasn't my fault she broke the pencils and then a few nice things.

What else did she break? asks Gaius.

Nothing, says Terence.

I suppose that's a nice thing, says Katherine.

Yes BUT, says Terence, Nerida said we should fix her with plasters.

Even nicer, says Katherine.

But then Greedy wouldn't be dead, says Terence. Remember what my first line was?

Greedy has died, says Katherine.

See? says Terence. 

You can overcome that with a surprise ending, says Katherine. Greedy is resurrected. Not that I believe in such things.

Surprise endings, says Terence. 

Resurrections, says Katherine. 

Tea, coffee, juice, water, snacks? asks a flight attendant, stopping by with a trolley. What would the liitle boy like?

No surprise ending, says Terence.

Oh dear, I should hope not, says the flight attendant, smiling.

A red drink, please, says Katherine. And have you got any plasters? 

I could get you some, says the flight attendant, Is the little boy injured?

No, says Terence. It's Greedy ( he waves Greedy at the flight attendant). But she died. 

Is that your toy? asks the flight attendant. How CUTE! A pink rubber glove with a face. We can't let it DIE. Would you like me to take it and fix it?

No, says Terence, because my poem would be...

But she has taken possession of Greedy, and given Terence a red drink in exchange.

Organic beetroot juice with ginger. 

A surprise ending.

Terence was expecting Ribena.

Ruined Poem

Terence tries to think of a good second line for his poem about Greedy.

It's not his fault that Greedy has died. 

How's it going? asks Arthur.

I've only got 'Greedy has died', says Terence.

That's a good start, says Nerida.

It wasn't my fault, says Terence.

It kind of was, says Nerida. You stuffed her in with the pencils and they must have been sharp.

They weren't sharp, says Terence. They were broken.

So put that in the poem, says Nerida. 

Okay, says Terence. Greedy has died, it was her fault, she broke the pencils.

That's blunt, says Arthur. 

Nerida laughs. 

Terence doesn't know why.

It would be good to say something nice about Greedy, says Nerida.

She wanted to help me catch frogs, says Terence.

We're not CATCHING them, are we? says Nerida. I though we were counting.

But she did want to, says Terence.

She couldn't have caught any, says Nerida.

Put that in, says Arthur.

It's not nice, says Terence.

It's nice for the frogs, says Nerida.

But not Greedy, says Terence. 

I didn't know her, says Nerida.

She took part in Candide, says Arthur. She played the plump hand. And she learned to speak English.

Wow! says Nerida. 

She looks at the flaccid Greedy with respect.

Maybe we could fix her, with plasters, and blow her up again. She sounds like an asset.

Terence is confounded.

That would ruin his poem.

Died By Pencil

Who's Saint Roley? asks Nerida. I never heard of him.

Terence's parrot, says Arthur.

Oh, says Nerida. I didn't think they ate frogs.

Parrots don't, says Arthur. Saint Roley's an unusual case.

Why? asks Nerida.

Arthur is about to explain when Gaius taps Nerida on the shoulder.

Yes? says Nerida.

The stapler, says Gaius. Did we pack it?

I brought mine, says Nerida. Do you need it already?

Unfortunately yes, says Gaius. My notes are out of order.

Give them to me, says Nerida. Are they numbered?

No, says Gaius. Perhaps they should be. 

What happened? asks Arthur. 

Terence wanted the pencil box, says Gaius. I took my back pack out of the overhead locker, and my notes all fell out.

What about the pencil box? asks Nerida.

You wouldn't believe it, says Gaius. Terence is most upset. Did you know he had put Greedy in it?

Er, yes, says Nerida. Are the pencils all right?

It's not the pencils, says Gaius. Greedy has deflated.

Can we blow her up again, asks Nerida.

Katherine thinks not, says Gaius. She is riddled with holes.

From the pencils? asks Nerida.

Yes I suppose so, says Gaius. 

Terence has left his seat and followed Gaius.

Guess what? says Terence.

Greedy popped, says Nerida. We know.

By the stupid pencils, says Terence. I'm INSOLABLE!

Inconsolable, says Gaius.

Yes, says Terence. And so is Greedy.

He holds Greedy up.

She flops downwards, dangling empty pink fingers, with holes.

Come and sit with us, says Nerida. We're making up poems.

Can I do one for Greedy? asks Terence.

Ours are all about frogs, says Nerida.

Yay! says Terence. I'll do one for Greedy.

Stapler? says Gaius.

Nerida gives Gaius the stapler.

He goes back to his seat, to reorganise his notes.

Terence wedges himself between Arthur and Nerida.

He already has his first line.

Greedy has died.....

The second line is the problem.

Frogs are Sentimental

You shouldn't pick at your scabs, says Nerida.

It helps me to think, says Arthur.

About what? asks Nerida.

How I got them, says Arthur.

Did you fall off your bike? asks Nerida.

Got them surfing, says Arthur.

I LOVE surfing, says Nerida. Pity there's no surf where we're going.

There is in Gladstone, says Arthur. It's the last good surf spot.

Last? says Nerida.

And it's in crocodile country, says Arthur.

Lucky were not stopping there, says Nerida.

Yes, lucky, says Arthur.

There won't be crocs in Kroombit Tops will there? asks Nerida.

Only frogs, says Arthur. 

You're kidding, says Nerida. 

Yes, says Arthur, I am.

Are you really into them? asks Nerida.

Frogs, says Arthur. I've known a few. 

One jumped into a pool, where it was nice and cool, then there was just one speckled frog, sings Nerida.

Did you just make that up? asks Arthur.

No I learned it in kindergarten, says Nerida. Whenever someone says 'nice and cool' I remember it.

I didn't say nice and cool, says Arthur.

But you reminded me about frogs, says Nerida. Is there a frog poem you remember?

Yes, says Arthur. I remember a poem by four green and golden bell frogs, called Saint Roley the Good.

How did it go? asks Nerida.

Saint Roley the Good/ Did he eat us? No! Although he could/ We lost ninety percent of our brothers / Through development schemes/ He shared with us his last mollusc/ And we shared our dreams.

That's beautiful, says Nerida. 

Frogs are sentimental, says Arthur.

Dark Isn't Terrible!

Adelaide airport.

Has Arthur turned up yet?

Yes here he is now, just in time for boarding.

They queue to get on. Gaius first.

Welcome, Mr Secundus, says the boarding attendant. 

She looks hard at his pass.

Is something wrong? asks Gaius.

She smiles sympathetically, scans his pass and waves him along.

The others go through without incident.

Even Terence.

Do I get my own seat? asks Terence.

Yes, says Katherine. I paid for it. 

Yay! says Terence. I don't have to go in a back pack!

Is that what you normally do? asks Nerida.

Sometimes, says Terence. And then I have to go in the overhead locker, and it's dark.

That must be terrible, says Nerida.

They are now shuffling onto the plane.

No, says Terence. DARK ISN'T TERRIBLE!

Why are you shouting? asks Katherine.

So that Greedy can hear me, says Terence.

Greedy isn't here, says Katherine. Is she?

Yes! says Terence. She's in the pencil box.

THE pencil box? asks Nerida.

Why didn't she look in the box?

You brought Greedy, says Katherine. And she's in a pencil box. Is it Gaius's pencil box?

Yes, says Terence.

What did you do with the pencils? asks Nerida.

Nothing, says Terence.

So they're still in there, asks Nerida.

They might be, says Terence.

Nerida looks worried.

Don't worry dear, says Katherine. We can always buy more pencils. And I have my trusty old pen.

Nerida looks a bit happier. And she is about to get more so.

She has a seat next to Arthur.

She sits down beside him.

Arthur is scratching dried scabs off his knee.

Mother Of Nonsense

Next morning, Dad drops Nerida at Gaius's house.

Where's this chaperone? asks Dad. I ought to meet her.

She's meeting us at the airport, says Gaius. 

Where's Arthur? asks Nerida.

Ditto, says Gaius. Now you're here, I'll order a taxi.

No need, says Dad. I'll drop you.

Very kind, says Gaius. Perhaps Nerida would like to go through my checklist.

Okay, says Nerida. Where is it?

In my head, says Gaius. I'll list everything and you can tell me if I've left anything out.

Go on then, says Nerida.

Notes on the Kroombit Tinker Frog, says Gaius. Pencils, sharpener....

Stapler, says Nerida.

I was coming to that, says Gaius. 

Shouldn't she be checking if you've packed them? asks Dad.

Certainly, says Gaius. She can do that while I go and find Terence. He's out the back somewhere.

Who's this Terence? asks Dad.

I don't know, says Nerida. But we're sure to find out.

She opens Gaius's back pack.

Oh no. Underpants at the top.

She shoves them down to the bottom, under a pile of loose papers.

She feels about for pencils etcetera.

I don't think he's packed them yet, says Nerida.

She is looking for pencils when Terence runs in with a pencil box.

You must be Terence, says Dad.

I must be, says Terence. Guess what's in this box though?

Pencils, says Nerida. Put them in here.

No... begins Terence.

Nerida takes the box from him and packs it.

Everyone ready? asks Gaius.

Rightio, let's go, says Dad.

They climb into Dad's Hyundai and head to the airport.

At the airport, Dad parks the Hyundai, and they all get out.

Where is Arthur?

Not there, but Katherine is waiting.

Hello Gaius, says Katherine, hello Terence. And this must be Nerida.

That's me, says Nerida.

What a lot of lovely friendship bracelets, says Katherine.

Thanks, says Nerida. Would you like one? I can make you one. I brought all the things.

I would LOVE one! says Katherine.

I hear you're a philosopher, says Dad. 

Mother of, says Katherine. 

I suppose that's just as good, says Dad.

It's better, says Katherine. Less nonsense.

Dad likes that. 

Nerida has a kindly and sensible chaperone.

He says goodbye to his daughter, and heads off to work.