What Can I Hope?

Terence runs out of the police station.

He sees the back of someone who looks like Sweezus. 

Hey! cries Terence.

Sweezus turns and walks back.

Hey little buddy! says Sweezus. How come...?

We got arrested! says Terence.

No way! says Sweezus. Where are...?

Gaius and Arthur wheel their bikes out of the station.

Look! says Terence. Sweezus is here.

What are you doing in Victor Harbor? asks Gaius.

Stopped off to show Immanuel what it looks like, says Sweezus. He's gone for a walk.

Are you on bicycles? asks Gaius.

Borrowed Katherine's car, says Sweezus. But hey, Terence says you got arrested.

Not really, says Gaius. A case of lost property, that's all.

I lost Gloopy, says Terence. 

Where? asks Sweezus. 

On the bus, says Terence.

You might not get him back, says Sweezus. But at least he was dead.

At least? says Terence.

I just meant he won't be upset, says Sweezus.

It was his last adventure, says Terence. Getting left on a bus.

Yeah, says Sweezus. It happens. But hey what's the time? Shit! I'm supposed to be meeting Kant in two minutes.

Where? asks Gaius. 

Other end of the street, says Sweezus. Near the Causeway.

Want to borrow my bike? asks Arthur.

It's the first thing he has said.

Holy guacamole! says Sweezus. You don't look too good.

He has a fever, says Gaius. And one of his cuts is infected.

Man! says Sweezus. Yeah, I'll take the bike. Meet me down there.

He takes Arthur's bike and speeds off to meet Kant.

But Kant is not where he left him.

Where is he?  The man whose life runs like clockwork.

He is halfway across the Causeway, hurrying back.

Asking himself his favourite three questions. What can I know? What can I do? What can I hope?

Well he knows he can't hope to get back by four o'clock, that is certain. 

He is three minutes late.

Apologies, says Kant.

No worries, says Sweezus.  Did you get to the island?

No, says Kant. I did not. I see you have acquired a bicycle.

Yeah it's my friend's bike, says Sweezus. He's got a fever.

Dear me, says Kant. Is it this new influenza?

Nah, says Sweezus. One of the cuts in his leg got infected. 

Should he be riding a bike? asks Kant.

Yeah, nah, says Sweezus. I was thinking if you rode his bike to Waitpinga I could give him a lift in the car.

Ride there on my own? asks Kant.

No, with Gaius, says Sweezus. He's got a bike too. Here they come now.

Gaius and Arthur arrive, with Terence in the bicycle basket. 

Kant looks at Arthur. 

I have never ridden a bicycle before, says Kant, but it must be quite easy. Sweezus has asked me to give up my place in the car and ride your bike to Waitpinga.

What a kind offer, says Gaius. That will give Arthur some time to recover.

Arthur looks suitably grateful.

What about me? asks Terence.

You can go in the car or the basket, says Sweezus. I'd choose the basket, you'll see more.

I'd choose the car, says Gaius.