People Remember That Time

Sweezus calls Katherine about the umbrellas.

Hey Katherine, says Sweezus. 

Hello dear, says Katherine. 

Where's the best place to buy umbrellas? asks Sweezus.

Do you need an umbrella? asks Katherine. Don't buy one. I have so many.

How many ? asks Sweezus. I need about twenty.

Oh well, says Katherine. I don't have twenty. But I might manage five. Why do you need them?

For the show tonight, says Sweezus. It's meant to rain heaps and we're in an open air venue.

So I've heard, says Katherine. David told me about it.

Yeah, says Sweezus. So can I borrow five?

Four, says Katherine. I need one for myself. 

Are you coming? asks Sweezus.

Of course I'm coming, says Katherine. And if you give me a couple of hours, I'll rustle up sixteen more umbrellas.

Cool, says Sweezus. Arthur said you'd know all about umbrellas.

Did he? says Katherine. 

Yeah, says Sweezus.

I hear he's playing the sailor, says Katherine. 

He is, says Sweezus. But he's bought a few packets of seeds just in case.

Ah! says Katherine. That's very wise of Arthur. People remember that time he played Costa.

I know, says Sweezus. Me and Arthur were in Bunnings and the checkout guy remembered.

There you go, says Katherine. Any way leave the umbrellas to me.

Thanks Katherine, says Sweezus.

Katherine calls her friend Margaret.

Katherine! says Margaret. It's been ages!

This may seem like strange question, but how many umbrellas do you have? asks Katherine. 

I have a room full, says Margaret. They're for our field trips.

Excellent, says Katherine. May I borrow them for a Fringe show tonight?

A Fringe show? says Margaret. What is it? A play about the Umbrella Revolution?

No, says Katherine. It's Candide. Every year Vello puts on an excerpt.

Are there umbrellas in it? asks Margaret.

They're for the audience, says Katherine. It's an open air venue.

I shall come along, says Margaret. And I'll invite the rest of the Geological Society.

But won't that use up all your field trip umbrellas? asks Katherine.

I'll ask everyone to bring their own umbrella, says Margaret. And I'll bring the field trip ones.

Lovely, says Katherine. 

Is Gaius in it this year? asks Margaret.

Umm, yes I believe so, says Katherine.

Lovely, says Margaret.

Its a long time since she's seen Gaius.

Too long.

Pity it's going to be raining.

What should she wear?