The Vertiginous Stars

The Kamikaze stops moving eventually.

Arthur and Gaius get off.

Why are you here? asks Arthur.

Why is anyone here? asks Gaius.

I didn't mean it that way, says Arthur.

It's good to hear you are lucid, says Gaius.

I'm always lucid, says Arthur.

Though he looks a bit green.

I was in the artists' bar, says Gaius. Talking to Sweezus.

So was I, says Arthur. 

Yes, before I was, says Gaius. I came in after.

Arthur thinks that he'd like to sit down.

They find some garden seats near an empty table.

And sit down.

I was wondering, says Gaius, if you had some spare time.

Sure, says Arthur. 

This is promising.

Gaius continues. Perhaps you've heard of Waitpinga?

Good surfing spot, says Arthur. 

Not any more, says Gaius.

Go on, says Arthur.

Mysterious froth has been washing up on the shore, says Gaius. Along with dead fish and some leafy sea dragons.

Mm, says Arthur. Is it poisonous froth?

A logical hypothesis, says Gaius. The local surfers have reported rashes and coughs.

Are you going? asks Arthur.

I was thinking of going, says Gaius. 

Is anyone else going? asks Arthur.

Terence will no doubt want to go, says Gaius. And Sweezus showed an interest.

Okay, I'm in, says Arthur. When are we going?

Tomorrow morning, says Gaius. So you'll need to go home and get some sleep.

But I just got here, says Arthur.

Yes, and you've been on the Kamikaze, says Gaius. That should be enough.

Arthur has been looking at the Skydiver.

He could go on that.

I don't think you should go on the Skydiver, says Gaius.

Arthur's garden chair is slowly tipping backwards.

Gaius reaches out.

But Arthur's chair keeps on tipping....

....away from, no, towards the vertiginous stars

....and moonlit clouds of poisonous froth.