In My M File

Belle has a lot of things to do. 

And now Arthur has asked her to organise a parrot passport.

There's no time to apply for a new one.

She calls Gaius.

Belle! says Gaius. How delightful!

Yes, says Belle. I hear you're joining team Condor.

I am, says Gaius. And I hear Surfing-with-Whales has joined Team Philosophe.

Don't remind me! says Belle. 

I'm sure they'll be a great combination, says Gaius. No doubt his presence will make them go faster.

Everyone's saying that, says Belle. But no one's said why.

Well, he is younger, says Gaius. And probably fitter.

But he's not a philosopher, says Belle. He might not fit in.

Nonsense, says Gaius. I'm not a philosopher, but no one ever told me I didn't fit in.

You were reliable, says Belle. And you ARE philosophical. 

Thank you for saying so, says Gaius. I suppose if anything, I'm a stoic.

Exactly, says Belle. By the way, are you still in Canberra?

No, says Gaius. As a matter of fact, we are on our way back to Adelaide. Katherine has kindly cut short her holiday, and is driving us home.

Great, says Belle. Is Terence with you?

Yes he is, along with his new parrot, says Gaius. Her name is Prong.

That's useful to know, says Belle. Arthur was asking me about a parrot passport. 

Was he? asks Gaius. I thought he was dealing with the parrot passport himself.

You know Arthur, says Belle. 

I suppose he thought you might have one on file somewhere, says Gaius.

I might, says Belle, but it was a long time ago. Do you remember which of Terence's parrots it was for?

Gaius thinks back. 

It may have been Mouldy, says Gaius.

Mouldy! says Belle. Yes it was. We had to make him look like a parrot.

Prong already looks like a parrot, says Gaius.

That should make things simpler, says Belle. I'll see if I've got Mouldy's old passport in my M file.

Excellent, says Gaius. I'll send you a photo of Prong.

Thanks, Gaius, says Belle. See you soon. Bye.

Goodbye, says Gaius.

Was that Belle on the phone? asks Katherine.

Yes, Arthur has organised a parrot passport for Prong, says Gaius.

It sounded like Belle was going to do it, says Katherine.

She may have Mouldy's old passport on file, says Gaius.

Mouldy! says Terence. What happened to Mouldy?

But it was years ago, and no one remembers.

Prong wonders if she should be worried.