There is no one else on the beach.
Not alive, anyway.
You go that way, says Gaius. I'll go this. We'll record what we find.
Which way do I go? asks Terence.
Come with me, says Gaius.
Sweezus goes off on his own.
What shitty weather. And freezing. And here's him in shorts and a tee shirt.
He nearly steps on a dead puffer fish.
Dead fish number one.
How's he meant to record it? Yeah, on his phone.
He takes out his phone.
He has a missed call from Arthur.
He calls Arthur back.
Hey! says Arthur. What's up?
The wind's up, the tide's up, and it's raining, says Sweezus. What do you reckon?
That we're better off here, says Arthur.
Where's here? asks Sweezus.
The Wharf Barrel Shed, says Arthur. On the wharf. They've got local wines, craft beer and cider, and they do toasted sandwiches.
So shall I come and pick you up? asks Sweezus. I'm counting dead creatures.
No hurry, says Arthur. Kant's ordered two toasties.
Well at least make yourself useful, says Sweezus.
How? asks Arthur.
Ask him questions, says Sweezus. And remember the answers. For me.
Okay, says Arthur. Got to go. Here comes my toastie.
The call ends abruptly.
Sweezus records one dead puffer fish on his phone.
Make that two dead puffer fish.
And a row of dead skates. And at least thirty mussels.
Gaius and Terence have gone the other way.
The wind howls.
I can't hear you, shouts Terence.
I didn't say anything! shouts Gaius.
You squawked! shouts Terence.
That would have been a bird! shouts Gaius.
Was it dead? shouts Terence.
I didn't see it! shouts Gaius. But it wouldn't have squawked if it was.
That's good! shouts Terence.
Squawk!
Maybe it's a fish dying, thinks Terence.
He kicks at a heap of wet seaweed.
And uncovers a dead fish.
Was that your last squawk? asks Terence.
The dead fish remains silent. Too late for an answer.
Gaius comes over, to record Terence's find.
Squawk!
This time Gaius hears it.
He looks up.
Terence looks up too.
Orange legs are descending.
Topped by black and white feathers.
Surely it can't be Roo-Kai?
No comments:
Post a Comment