This is better than watching a movie, says Terence.
Yes, says Maurice. We can watch the black sky and hear the sea churning.
And see bats, says Terence.
Those aren't bats says Maurice.
How do you know? asks Terence.
Because, says Maurice. Bats wouldn't fly over Bass Strait.
They might, says Terence.
Why might they? asks Maurice.
On-wee, says Terence. The wetness.
They're probably seabirds, says Maurice.
Or seabats, says Terence.
Or drones, says Maurice.
He sucks his red snake.
A red knot lands on the railing of the ferry.
Warrk! says the red knot.
Are you a seabat? asks Terence.
Naark! says the red knot. What's that you're eating?
I'm sucking, says Terence.
Sucking, then, says the red knot.
A red snake, says Terence. Want a suck?
Don't! says Maurice. It might have the avian flu!
Yikes! says Terence.
If I had the avian flu, says the red knot, I wouldn't be sitting on this railing.
You might, says Maurice. You might think that a suck on a red snake would make you feel better.
What are you, a junior vet? scoffs the red knot.
It flies off into the darkness.
Lucky I didn't let it have a suck, says Terence.
Yes, lucky, says Maurice.
They continue sucking.
Do you reckon the movie might've finished? asks Maurice.
Who cares? says Terence.
I'll be in trouble if my parents find out I didn't watch it, says Maurice.
Okay let's go back, says Terence.
They stand up.
Look around.
It's dark at this end of the ferry.
How to find their way back is the problem.
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