Loads Is Not A Number

Roo-kai! shouts Terence.

I'm not Roo-kai, says the oystercatcher that looks like him.

You look like him, says Terence. 

That doesn't mean I am him, says the oystercatcher that looks like Roo-kai.

Ask him if he knows Roo-kai, says Gaius. 

Do you know Roo-kai? asks Terence.

Everyone knows him, says the oystercatcher. But I know him best.

I know him best, says Terence.

Then where is he? asks the oystercatcher who isn't Roo-kai.

On his way, says Terence.

Good answer, says the oystercatcher who isn't Roo-kai. 

Go and find him, says Terence. I need him really badly.

What for? asks the oystercatcher who isn't Roo-kai.

I'll tell him, not you, says Terence.

Okay, says the oystercatcher. I'm going.

He rises, and flies away.

That oystercatcher certainly looked like Roo-kai, says Gaius. 

He's going to find him, says Terence.

Meanwhile let's get on with our task, says Gaius. 

The wind howls. Foam blows in from the sea.

Pity we don't have that thermometer, says Gaius. I should think the sea's temperature will have dropped quite considerably.

Want me to go in? asks Terence. Just with my toes.

You wouldn't feel anything, says Gaius. I suppose I could though.

He kicks off his crocs.

Jumping Jupiter! The water is chilly!

A good sign, says Gaius.

Sweezus comes over.

Two dead puffer fish, says Sweezus. And a dead leafy sea dragon. And loads of dead pipis.

Loads is not a number, says Gaius. I'd prefer you to count them.

We need more people, says Sweezus. I'll drive back to town and get Arthur and Kant.

Yes do that, and check that Kant has the thermometer, says Gaius. 

Guess what, says Terence. I saw Roo-kai. But it wasn't him. But the one that wasn't him is going to find him.

So we were led to believe, says Gaius. 

Cool, says Sweezus. That might be him now.

Terence turns.

An oystercatcher is approaching, stepping over ragged seaweed and dead pipis.

Roo-kai! shouts Terence.

Six thousand three hundred and seven, says Roo-kai. Hello Terence.

Dead pipis? asks Gaius.

And counting, says Roo-kai.

Gaius looks pleased.  

Sweezus even more so.