The Bad Nihilist

No, Sweezus hasn't lost the plot, but his characters have taken on a life of their own:

Mephisto rode doggedly on, towards Mount Compass. A nihilist, he was examining his philosphical position. He had offered to take the blame for Nunghausen's crime, or misdemeanour. Then, having been apprehended, with Nunghausen, he had brazenly escaped, without Nunghausen. Was that consistent behaviour? No, it was not. Perhaps he should go back.

Yes, he would go back. He turned around.

Soon he was in the main street of Victor Harbor. There was the Camus family promenading on the foreshore.

Hey! called out Mephisto. Have you guys seen Nunghausen?

Who's Nunghausen? asked Camus.

You know, said Mephisto. Our friend. He was apprehended for eating a penguin pie on Granite Island.

Oh, NUNGhausen, said Camus, always quick on the uptake. I believe he's in the lockup, where he should be.

Steady on, said Mephisto. He hasn't done anything wrong and you know it.

We heard you escaped, said Francine. How come you came back?

I came back to rescue my friend, said Mephisto.

Some nihilist you turned out to be, said Camus, with a sniff.

Mephisto

We however are not interested in whale-watching. We want to know what has happened to Sweezus. Let's follow him.

Sweezus had not disappeared. He had merely ridden off quickly. He is now well out of Victor Harbor, cycling past the Urimbirra Wildlife Sanctuary. He is thinking about his brilliant escape, but he is not entirely happy.

It's good I've escaped, thinks Sweezus, but I've left Gaius in the back of a police car accused of a crime he didn't commit.

On the other hand, I've achieved my goal. I'm a full-on Nihilist Bicyclist. I'll start composing my article for Belle et Bonne and Marie.

And he began composing the article in his head:

The sunlight flickered through the trees at the side of the road. The Nihilist Bicyclist rode steadfastly on. He had left his friend in the back of a police car and escaped.

(That's a good beginning, thought Sweezus. Weather, atmosphere, a situation. Now for some philosophy.)

He had no feelings of guilt about what he had done. His friend had admitted to the crime as a joke. Or in annoyance. Whatever.

(I'd better give him a name, thought Sweezus. Not Gaius....ummm..I know, Nunghausen. Cool! What a name!)

And then he, the Nihilist Bicyclist....

(I'd better give him a name as well, thought Sweezus. Not Sweezus...ummm... yes, Mephisto, that'll do. That's brilliant! Now where was I? ).

Now where was I?

Oh no! Has Sweezus lost the plot?