Shitty Fungus

Henriette, Gaius and Denis drink their hot chocolate.

Gaius looks thoughtful.

What are you thinking? Henriette.

I prefer not to stay with Margaret and her sister, says Gaius.

So tell them, says Denis.

Margaret thinks I'm keen, says Gaius.

How do you know? asks Henriette.

I was talking to Arthur, but she thought I was talking to her, says Gaius.

Just now? asks Denis. How did that happen?

Arthur must have handed his phone to her as I was talking, says Gaius.

How awful, says Henriette. Looks like you're stuck with the sisters.

Look on the bright side, says Denis.

Which is, says Gaius. 

A comfortable bed free of charge, says Denis. Probably a hot breakfast before you set out. The three of you, looking for frogs. Margaret being an expert, and a good chance her sister is too. And even if she isn't, she'll have local knowledge.

Yes, that's all very  well, says Gaius. But I prefer camping, and I'm well-informed about frogs.

Of course you are, says Henriette. Perhaps you should tell them.

Hum, says Gaius.

He should tell them. But how?

.....

In the artists' bar, Margaret gives Arthur his phone.

Thanks, says Arthur. 

We're going to Canberra, says Margaret.

We? says Arthur.

Gaius and I, says Margaret.

Oh are you? says Belle. How lovely. 

Am I going? asks Terence.

Do you want to go? asks Belle. 

Yes, says Terence, I know all about frogs.

Is that so? says Margaret. 

Yes, says Terence. They have different tattoos. And get shitty fungus.

Shitty fungus? says Margaret. I suppose you mean chytrid fungus.

I suppose I mean shitty fungus, says Terence. 

Ha ha, laughs Vello. Terence knows what he means.

He does NOT, says Margaret. And he won't get on well with my sister.

Yes I will, says Terence. She'll love me.

Not if you're rude, says Margaret.

Does that mean I'm coming?  asks Terence. 

Everyone waits for the answer. 

I'll need to ask Minnie, says Margaret.

Minnie. That must be her sister.