Lucky Exit

We'll pass, says Lucius.

I thought you believed yourselves immortal, says Gaius.

Pass with regard to the skateboard, says Pontius. 

So do I get it back? asks Terence.

Yes, says Gaius. 

Not immortal, says Lucius.

I was joking, says Gaius.

It's no joke, says Pontius. We've been here a long time. And nothing has changed until recently.

I know, says Gaius. But it's good news about your numbers increasing. Unless of course, the news is untrue.

How can news be untrue? asks Lucius.

Disinformation, says Gaius. Vested interests. Or it may be a simple case of double counting. 

Double counting, says Pontius. You mean counting us twice?

Not you two, says Gaius. You are less likely to be double counted.

Why is that? asks Lucius.

Because there's two of you already, says Terence. 

That seems illogical, says Pontius. We could be counted as four.

By a blind person, says Terence.

No need to be rude, Terence, says Gaius.

A blind person wouldn't see us at all, says Pontius. Then where would we be?

An existential question, says Gaius. My point was, you are old skates, and you probably don't move about much.

Lucius and Pontius are about to dispute this when Surfing-with-Whales arrives.

Thought you'd be here, says Surfing-with-Whales.

I'm getting my skateboard back! says Terence.

Cool, says Surfing-with-Whales. Want me to grab it?

Yes! cries Terence.

Surfing-with-Whales steps into the water and picks up the skateboard.

Water drips from the wheels.

Guess you heard the news, says Surfing-with-Whales. These guys are increasing in numbers. Bright futures, and all that crapola.

Yes I heard, says Gaius. 

So I guess we'll be leaving, says Surfing-with-Whales.

I guess so, says Gaius.

Great, says Surfing-with-Whales. Reckon we'll get back in time for next Thursday? The guys are putting on a Fringe show. Sweezus is in it

Candide again? says Gaius.

Are we in it? asks Terence.

No one has asked us, says Gaius.

Ask them, says Terence. I want to be in it. I'm good at acting.

All right, says Gaius. But first things first. We'll wash down the skateboard, then I'll call Vello.

Lucius and Pontius float in the shallows, not ready to leave yet.

We said we'd do that, says Lucius.

Wash down the skateboard? says Pontius.

Yes, but now we don't have to, says Lucius.

Because we didn't get to go on it, says Pontius.

Look at that! says Lucius. He's using bottled water!

It's true. Surfing-with-Whales is sluicing the skateboard's wheels with bottled water.

Could we have done that? asks Lucius.

They both agree that they couldn't.