As A Diplomat

It seemed like a good plan.

The tinker had hopped out when the flight attendant opened the door to inform the captain and co-captain the plane was vacated. 

She had hopped down the aisle to the exit. 

Hopped out, and down the ramp to Arrivals.

Looked around for Ben O'Connor and Baby Pierre.

Where were they? Nowhere.

A large sniffer dog had approached her, and barked.

A uniformed dog handler had dropped a net over her.

And taken her to a small room where she has been waiting.

And waiting.

When will someone come?

At last a customs officer comes in and takes a photograph of the tinker.

You should have asked my permission, says the tinker.

Ai! says the customs officer. It speaks!

May I make a phone call? asks the tinker.

You're a frog, says the customs officer. You don't get a phone call. Just explain how you got here.

Starting when? asks the tinker. I was raised in captivity in Currumbin, and then...

Where is that? asks the customs officer. 

Queensland, says the tinker. Then I went to Italy, but before that I...

Who were you with on the plane? asks the customs officer.

Ben O'Connor, says the tinker. And Baby Pierre. He was in a box with me, but then...

Aha! Now we're getting somewhere, says the customs officer. Wait here.

The customs officer leaves the room, locking the door behind her.

Half an hour later she returns with Ben O'Connor, and the box.

Presumably, Baby Pierre and his tiny bicycle are in it.

Is this your frog? asks the customs officer.

No, says Ben O'Connor. I've already explained.

Then whose is it? asks the customs officer.

Can I make a phone call? asks Ben O'Connor.

Certainly, sir, says the customs officer.

Ben calls Pablo Neruda.

Pablo is in Chile, back at work as a diplomat.

Pablo, says Ben. I'm in a bit of a pickle at Changi airport. They're detaining the frog. 

Leave it to me, says Pablo. I'll call Arthur.

He calls Arthur on another phone.

Arthur, it's Pablo. About that frog.

Gaius is stewing, says Arthur. Where is it?

Detained in Changi with Ben O'Connor, says Pablo.

Where are you? asks Arthur.

Chile, says Pablo. But I've got Ben on the phone.

Put him on speaker, says Arthur.

Arthur! says Ben O'Connor. This is kind of annoying. I don't want to miss my flight home.

Where are you heading? asks Arthur.

Perth, says Ben.

Right, says Arthur. The frog needs to go to Adelaide, or better still Gladstone. So you can leave her at Changi airport. I'll fix it.

I can't just leave, says Ben O'Connor. I'm detained too.

Chill out, says Arthur. I'll get Gaius to call Changi customs.

Cool, says Ben O'Connor.

It looks as though things will turn out well for the Kroombit tinker.

Why doesn't she look all that pleased?