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.