If Treasure There Is

The weather has changed. It is raining.

The waves foam and crash.

Sweezus and Arthur are plodding up the beach with their boards when Gaius, Terence and Roo-kai come down to meet them.

Ready to go now? asks Gaius.

Looks like it, says Sweezus.

Guess what? says Terence. I threw up, and guess what?

The kiosk guy made you clean it up, says Sweezus.

No, says Terence. I was already outside.

The ants are eating it, as we speak, says Gaius.

Lucky them, says Sweezus.

We must start making plans, says Gaius. By the way I'm free to ride for Team Condor.

Cool, says Sweezus. I'll get Arthur to book us three tickets.

Okay, says Arthur. With whose money?

I'll pay for mine, says Gaius.

Can I ask a favour? asks Sweezus.

I can guess what it is, says Gaius. You want me to pay for all three tickets and you'll reimburse me at some later date, presumably when Vello pays you for your long-delayed interview with Kant.

Mind reader, says Sweezus.

Not really, says Gaius. And yes, I'll lend you the money for your tickets.

Am I coming? asks Terence.

Of course, says Sweezus. Did you think we'd leave you here?

Terence looks up at the weather.

Dark sky, driving rain, huge breakers, the sand disappearing.

What if they did leave him here?

I know what you're thinking, says Roo-kai. 

What? asks Terence. 

If they left you here, you'd be washed out to sea, and spend the rest of your days on the bottom, says Roo-kai. 

Terence imagines spending the rest of his days on the bottom.

Maybe Great White Teacher would find him. And have a go at his leg.

Or he might find some treasure.

But what could he do with the treasure, down there?

He feels gloomy.

Come, says Gaius. Arthur and I must return the hired bikes to the bike shop in Victor Harbour.

Yeah, says Sweezus, and I'll drive Kant back to Adelaide, and get him talking.

For your story, says Gaius.

Yeah, says Sweezus.

Arthur regards the black sky.

He looks forward to the wet windy back ride to Victor. 

He and Gaius head up the track to the kiosk, where the bikes are.

Come on, little buddy, says Sweezus. 

He starts walking. 

Terence follows.

The treasure, if treasure there is, remains undiscovered, on the floor of the sea.