The Scoundrel

Do I have a passport? asks Terence.

I hope so, says Gaius. I don't want to have to get you one as well.

Sometimes I go in the overhead locker, says Terence.

How awful! says Minnie.

Why is it awful? asks Prong.

It's dark and rumbly, says Terence. With no snacks.

You have hardly ever had to go in an overhead locker, says Gaius. 

Cheese toastie? asks Minnie.

Yes please, says Gaius.

I'll make it, says Margaret.

She starts cutting slices of cheese.

Really Gaius, you ought to find out if you're going, says Katherine.

I know that, says Gaius. It seems there was some sort of mixup.

A mixup with Pablo? says Katherine. Has he replied yet to anyone?

I'm still in the dark, says Gaius.

I'll phone David, says Katherine . He must have heard something by now.

She calls David.

Mother! says David. How was the National Gallery?

Thrilling, says Katherine. We saw a spectacular parrot with curly whiskers.

That sounds less than thrilling, says David.

It was a New Acquisition, says Katherine. Any news about Pablo?

The worst, says David. Vello is spitting chips.

Why? asks Katherine. What's happened?

Pablo's riding for Movistar, says David.

What a scoundrel, says Katherine. So you'll need Gaius.

Gaius is about to chomp into his toastie, but stops.

No, says David, Vello wants new blood. He's going to ask Surfing-with-Whales.

You're joking, says Katherine. 

I know he's unreliable, says David. 

Well anyway, it's all good news for Gaius, says Katherine.

Yes mother, says David. Well I must be off now. Vello and I have an intensive training schedule.

I bet, says Katherine.

What did he say? asks Gaius, through a mouthful of cheese.

They're asking Surfing-with-Whales, says Katherine. Which means Sweezus will have to ask you.

Then why hasn't he? wonders Gaius.

Ask him, says Katherine.

Why not?

Gaius calls Sweezus.

I was just about to call you, says Sweezus. You still available?

I am, says Gaius. 

Great, says Sweezus. Can you buy your own ticket?

I suppose so, says Gaius. Can you check with Arthur about the parrot passport?

What parrot passport? asks Sweezus.

For Terence's parrot, says Gaius. I'll send you a photo.

Yeah okay, says Sweezus. No worries.

He promptly forgets about the parrot passport, as he has an intensive training program to start on.

So he is surprised sometime later when his phone pings.

Ping! 

WTF! A parrot with whiskers!