Early evening.
Sweezus, Arthur and Terence are eating burgers in Peel Street.
They are sitting outside, because they've got Farky the dog.
How's it been, living with Belle? asks Sweezus.
Nice, says Terence, screwing his nose up.
What's that face for? says Sweezus.
Responsibility, says Terence, dropping a big chunk of burger onto the pavement.
Farky looks at it longingly.
What a good dog.
Arthur feeds Farky the burger.
Farky looks up for more.
I grew up without a father, says Terence.
No you didn't says Sweezus. What about Saint Joseph?
Belle says he was absent, says Terence. And I'm not responsible.
That's right, says Arthur. My father was absent.
What else has she told you? says Sweezus.
Be kind to others, says Terence.
Farky looks hopeful.
Do you want to know why? says Terence.
I already know why, says Sweezus. It's Game Theory.
Be kind to others? Wouldn't that lose you the game? says Arthur.
No, says Sweezus. Not necessarily. It lulls them. Then you move in for the kill.
Belle didn't say that, says Terence.
She wouldn't have, says Sweezus. But she'd lose the game.
Terence is happy to learn that life is not all that simple.
And that Belle would lose the game.
Farky edges across to nose under someone else's table for fragments of mushroom, which have dropped out of their Funghi Hot Dog.
Who needs kindness when carelessness can be so rewarding?
......
Belle is at the Cabaret Festival with Marie, drinking sparkling red wine.
The show they are seeing is called My Vagabond Boat.
The songs are about the sadness of displacement.
Hope and despair. They are also quite funny.
Nevertheless when the show is over there is a tear in Belle's eye and a corresponding one in her cousin's.
This calls for another glass of wine.
How hard would it be, says Marie, for this country to show some compassion?
Belle sighs. She can only agree.
Saturday, June 6, 2015
Friday, June 5, 2015
A Dad And A Dog Owner
Where is Farky?
Farky has reached the CBD.
He has followed the scent of the string to the foot of the stairs to the office.
But the street door is closed.
Faithful Farky sits down on the pavement to wait for an emergence.
People pass by. ( It's the city ).
A girl with pink hair and a nose ring.
A man with tight pants and a phone.
A kid on a scooter.
A woman with a cherub.
She stops at the door.
The cherub steps on Farky's front paw deliberately.
Oweee! yelps Farky
I saw that, Terence, says Belle. Now pat him. Say sorry.
Terence pats Farky. Says sorry.
Hypocrisy. Belle is teaching Terence the art.
Belle opens the door.
Farky darts up the stairs, followed by Belle and Terence.
The door of the office is open.
Farky dashes in, and hurls himself towards Sweezus.
Sweezus steps out of the way.
Farky hits his head on the desk leg. That shuts him up for a while.
This is the new Farky, I gather, says Vello.
Not like the old Farky, says David. Clumsy.
Hi everyone, says Belle et Bonne entering the office with Terence. Did that dog come in here?
Yes! says Terence, seeing Farky flat out on the carpet.
Leave him! says Belle et Bonne. Honestly. I can't take my eyes off you for a minute.
You're MEAN, says Terence. You never let me do anything.
Well guess what, says Belle et Bonne. I'm giving you back to Sweezus. I'm going out tonight and I need a baby sitter.
Awesome, says Sweezus. How about we go out for a burger? You, me and Arthur.
Yippee! says Terence. But where is SHE going?
Never mind, says Belle et Bonne, straightening Terence's side flaps and dusting off his shorts.
I'll see you tomorrow. Be good.
She heads off down the stairs.
What about this dog? says David. He can't stay here. We're going out too.
Farky is stirring.
Sweezus looks at Farky, then Terence.
The dead weight of responsibility settles like a brick on his shoulders.
This is like being a dad. And a dog owner.
(But fuck it. How hard can it be? And anyway, he has Arthur to help him).
Farky has reached the CBD.
He has followed the scent of the string to the foot of the stairs to the office.
But the street door is closed.
Faithful Farky sits down on the pavement to wait for an emergence.
People pass by. ( It's the city ).
A girl with pink hair and a nose ring.
A man with tight pants and a phone.
A kid on a scooter.
A woman with a cherub.
She stops at the door.
The cherub steps on Farky's front paw deliberately.
Oweee! yelps Farky
I saw that, Terence, says Belle. Now pat him. Say sorry.
Terence pats Farky. Says sorry.
Hypocrisy. Belle is teaching Terence the art.
Belle opens the door.
Farky darts up the stairs, followed by Belle and Terence.
The door of the office is open.
Farky dashes in, and hurls himself towards Sweezus.
Sweezus steps out of the way.
Farky hits his head on the desk leg. That shuts him up for a while.
This is the new Farky, I gather, says Vello.
Not like the old Farky, says David. Clumsy.
Hi everyone, says Belle et Bonne entering the office with Terence. Did that dog come in here?
Yes! says Terence, seeing Farky flat out on the carpet.
Leave him! says Belle et Bonne. Honestly. I can't take my eyes off you for a minute.
You're MEAN, says Terence. You never let me do anything.
Well guess what, says Belle et Bonne. I'm giving you back to Sweezus. I'm going out tonight and I need a baby sitter.
Awesome, says Sweezus. How about we go out for a burger? You, me and Arthur.
Yippee! says Terence. But where is SHE going?
Never mind, says Belle et Bonne, straightening Terence's side flaps and dusting off his shorts.
I'll see you tomorrow. Be good.
She heads off down the stairs.
What about this dog? says David. He can't stay here. We're going out too.
Farky is stirring.
Sweezus looks at Farky, then Terence.
The dead weight of responsibility settles like a brick on his shoulders.
This is like being a dad. And a dog owner.
(But fuck it. How hard can it be? And anyway, he has Arthur to help him).
Thursday, June 4, 2015
Thanks To Science Not Maths
Now things move quickly, thanks to science.
Farky has been untied and revived.
He doesn't like any of these people, not even Margaret, who saved him.
He sniffs the air, for a scent of Sweezus.
Sniff sniff.
Along the highway, wafting gently with the breeze comes a scent.
The scent matches the scent of the string he was tied up with.
It is coming in from the north, from the pocket of Arthur, where the string was.
Arthur, who was with Sweezus.
Dogs can put two and two together.
This is science, not maths. The science of animal behaviour. And the science of smell.
Farky tears off down the road towards Adelaide.
........
Lauren and Gaius resume their journey.
He'll be fine, says Lauren. Dogs always land on their feet.
It's cats that do that, but Gaius doesn't pick up on it.
He is busy devising useful applications of Reiki.
........
Margaret and Professor Xu Xing also resume their journey.
Honestly, says Margaret. Reiki. What next?
I don't know, says Professor Xu Xing. But one should keep one's mind open. Take Chinese medicine for example.
Margaret does not wish to take Chinese medicine. She changes the subject.
So what prompted you to become a paleontologist? asks Margaret.
I wanted to study economics, says Professor Xu Xing. But in Beijing in the eighties, students had no choice in their degrees, and I was told I had to study paleontology.
And the rest is history, says Margaret.
Indeed, says Professor Xu Xing. Now of course things are different. My two boys will choose their own path.
Boys? says Margaret. Are you married?
Oh yes, says Professor Xu Xing.
.......
Farky has now reached Reynella.
The traffic is heavy.
The smell of mouldy string mingles with fumes.
........
Adelaide.
Sweezus and Arthur check in at the Velosophy office.
Any news of Gaius? asks Vello.
On his way, says Sweezus.
With Lauren Swales, and a dog, says Arthur.
Shit, says Sweezus. I'd forgotten about Farky. What if they didn't see him?
What's this? says David.
We tied Farky to the Kombi, says Arthur. But Gaius and Lauren were in the back and wouldn't have seen us.
In the back? says Vello. How do you know?
It was vibrating, says Arthur, making an exaggerated rhythmical movement.
Vello bursts out laughing.
David to his credit is more concerned with the fate of poor Farky.
Farky has been untied and revived.
He doesn't like any of these people, not even Margaret, who saved him.
He sniffs the air, for a scent of Sweezus.
Sniff sniff.
Along the highway, wafting gently with the breeze comes a scent.
The scent matches the scent of the string he was tied up with.
It is coming in from the north, from the pocket of Arthur, where the string was.
Arthur, who was with Sweezus.
Dogs can put two and two together.
This is science, not maths. The science of animal behaviour. And the science of smell.
Farky tears off down the road towards Adelaide.
........
Lauren and Gaius resume their journey.
He'll be fine, says Lauren. Dogs always land on their feet.
It's cats that do that, but Gaius doesn't pick up on it.
He is busy devising useful applications of Reiki.
........
Margaret and Professor Xu Xing also resume their journey.
Honestly, says Margaret. Reiki. What next?
I don't know, says Professor Xu Xing. But one should keep one's mind open. Take Chinese medicine for example.
Margaret does not wish to take Chinese medicine. She changes the subject.
So what prompted you to become a paleontologist? asks Margaret.
I wanted to study economics, says Professor Xu Xing. But in Beijing in the eighties, students had no choice in their degrees, and I was told I had to study paleontology.
And the rest is history, says Margaret.
Indeed, says Professor Xu Xing. Now of course things are different. My two boys will choose their own path.
Boys? says Margaret. Are you married?
Oh yes, says Professor Xu Xing.
.......
Farky has now reached Reynella.
The traffic is heavy.
The smell of mouldy string mingles with fumes.
........
Adelaide.
Sweezus and Arthur check in at the Velosophy office.
Any news of Gaius? asks Vello.
On his way, says Sweezus.
With Lauren Swales, and a dog, says Arthur.
Shit, says Sweezus. I'd forgotten about Farky. What if they didn't see him?
What's this? says David.
We tied Farky to the Kombi, says Arthur. But Gaius and Lauren were in the back and wouldn't have seen us.
In the back? says Vello. How do you know?
It was vibrating, says Arthur, making an exaggerated rhythmical movement.
Vello bursts out laughing.
David to his credit is more concerned with the fate of poor Farky.
Sticklers
Farky lies on the road, one eye open.
Margaret knows some first aid.
She rolls Farky over, and starts pumping his chest.
Professor Xu Xing and Baby Pierre stroll about, talking.
I saw deep sea monsters, says Baby Pierre.
Describe them, says Professor Xu Xing.
It was dark, says Baby Pierre.
So you didn't see them clearly, says Professor Xu Xing.
I drew them afterwards, says Baby Pierre.
But if you hadn't seen them ...... says Professor Xu Xing.
Crumbs. What a stickler for exactitude.
Lauren's Kombi reverses towards them. Gaius gets out.
Margaret, that's not Reiki, says Gaius. Get your hands off that dog.
This dog is unwell, says Margaret. He had a spasm. What's this about Reiki?
A spasm, you say! says Gaius. Were you here when it happened? What time exactly?
Two forty six, says Margaret, (a good scientist).
If only Gaius had looked at his watch when he tried distant Reiki on Farky.
But he did not. He pursues another angle.
Did he look calmer, after the spasm? asks Gaius.
Calmer is hardly the word, says Margaret. He looked stunned.
Lauren has emerged from the Kombi by this time.
She looks down at Farky, who is responding very well to first aid.
Well done, Gaius, says Lauren. You did a good job for a beginner.
Really? says Margaret. I assume you are speaking of Reiki?
Yes, says Lauren. It's a Hindu and yogic tradition.
I know, says Margaret. Pure nonsense. Gaius you surely don't....
Hmph! says Lauren. There are many things .......
Let me answer her, Lauren, says Gaius. Margaret, two words. Reiki works. I would go further. Three words. Distant Reiki works.
Farky whimpers.
Prove it, says Margaret.
Farky squirms.
He doesn't want Gaius to prove it .
I don't need to prove it, says Gaius. I am a convert.
Lauren looks pleased.
So does Farky.
Margaret knows some first aid.
She rolls Farky over, and starts pumping his chest.
Professor Xu Xing and Baby Pierre stroll about, talking.
I saw deep sea monsters, says Baby Pierre.
Describe them, says Professor Xu Xing.
It was dark, says Baby Pierre.
So you didn't see them clearly, says Professor Xu Xing.
I drew them afterwards, says Baby Pierre.
But if you hadn't seen them ...... says Professor Xu Xing.
Crumbs. What a stickler for exactitude.
Lauren's Kombi reverses towards them. Gaius gets out.
Margaret, that's not Reiki, says Gaius. Get your hands off that dog.
This dog is unwell, says Margaret. He had a spasm. What's this about Reiki?
A spasm, you say! says Gaius. Were you here when it happened? What time exactly?
Two forty six, says Margaret, (a good scientist).
If only Gaius had looked at his watch when he tried distant Reiki on Farky.
But he did not. He pursues another angle.
Did he look calmer, after the spasm? asks Gaius.
Calmer is hardly the word, says Margaret. He looked stunned.
Lauren has emerged from the Kombi by this time.
She looks down at Farky, who is responding very well to first aid.
Well done, Gaius, says Lauren. You did a good job for a beginner.
Really? says Margaret. I assume you are speaking of Reiki?
Yes, says Lauren. It's a Hindu and yogic tradition.
I know, says Margaret. Pure nonsense. Gaius you surely don't....
Hmph! says Lauren. There are many things .......
Let me answer her, Lauren, says Gaius. Margaret, two words. Reiki works. I would go further. Three words. Distant Reiki works.
Farky whimpers.
Prove it, says Margaret.
Farky squirms.
He doesn't want Gaius to prove it .
I don't need to prove it, says Gaius. I am a convert.
Lauren looks pleased.
So does Farky.
Tuesday, June 2, 2015
Dangers Of Level Three Reiki
Lauren is first to emerge from the Kombi.
Farky! says Lauren. How did you get here?
Gaius comes out behind her, every point in his subtle body recharged.
While Lauren sees an annoying dog she thought she'd got rid of, Gaius senses the dog's hurt and trauma.
Not only that, he recognises the string.
It's no mystery, says Gaius. This string is from Esperance. We were to give it back to young Natalie. Arthur must have forgotten.
It stinks, says Lauren. Beats me how he could have forgotten.
Let us untie him, says Gaius, bending down to do it.
How easily he bends.
A kind thought occurs to him.
Perhaps Farky would benefit from Reiki.
He makes the suggestion.
Don't think I haven't tried, says Lauren. This dog just doesn't like me.
Let me, says Gaius. I feel I have learned much already.
All right, says Lauren. You try.
Gaius places one hand on Farky's crown chakra, and one on his root.
Farky leaps forward in terror.
Calm! Calm! says Gaius. I am sorry. I am a beginner.
Sometimes distant Reiki can be more effective, says Lauren. I'm not up to that yet. But it can't hurt to practice on a puppy.
Distant Reiki? says Gaius, amazed. Do you mean to say it works at a distance?
Oh yes, says Lauren. If you're a Level Three. Tie him up to that tree there.
Gaius ties Farky up to a tree.
Now we'll drive down the road a bit, says Lauren.
Gaius feels this is unnecessary, but he bows to the superior knowledge of the Level Two practitioner.
They both climb into the Kombi
..... and drive away.
...........
Farky is miserable.
Farky is sad.
This is the worst day
He's ever had.
.......
A few minutes later, two bicycles appear in the distance.
No wait, three!
One has green wheels and is tiny. They get closer, and stop at the tree.
A dog! says Margaret. Tied up to a tree in the middle of nowhere. How cruel.
Professor Xu Xing is forced to agree.
Untie him, says Margaret.
Professor Xu Xing dismounts and approaches.
Baby Pierre approaches too.
I know that string! says Baby Pierre. It's from when I went diving!
You can dive? says Professor Xu Xing. Your talents are unending.
Farky looks patient.
Yes, says Baby Pierre. I was diving for a ruby sea dragon. I went the deepest. I was...
Farky looks glum.
Untie him, says Margaret.
No one wants to. The string is disgusting.
All of a sudden, Farky is assailed by long distance Reiki.
He yelps, leaps, half-strangles himself and collapses.
This is not to say Reiki is dangerous.
But Level Three should NEVER be practised by a beginner.
Farky! says Lauren. How did you get here?
Gaius comes out behind her, every point in his subtle body recharged.
While Lauren sees an annoying dog she thought she'd got rid of, Gaius senses the dog's hurt and trauma.
Not only that, he recognises the string.
It's no mystery, says Gaius. This string is from Esperance. We were to give it back to young Natalie. Arthur must have forgotten.
It stinks, says Lauren. Beats me how he could have forgotten.
Let us untie him, says Gaius, bending down to do it.
How easily he bends.
A kind thought occurs to him.
Perhaps Farky would benefit from Reiki.
He makes the suggestion.
Don't think I haven't tried, says Lauren. This dog just doesn't like me.
Let me, says Gaius. I feel I have learned much already.
All right, says Lauren. You try.
Gaius places one hand on Farky's crown chakra, and one on his root.
Farky leaps forward in terror.
Calm! Calm! says Gaius. I am sorry. I am a beginner.
Sometimes distant Reiki can be more effective, says Lauren. I'm not up to that yet. But it can't hurt to practice on a puppy.
Distant Reiki? says Gaius, amazed. Do you mean to say it works at a distance?
Oh yes, says Lauren. If you're a Level Three. Tie him up to that tree there.
Gaius ties Farky up to a tree.
Now we'll drive down the road a bit, says Lauren.
Gaius feels this is unnecessary, but he bows to the superior knowledge of the Level Two practitioner.
They both climb into the Kombi
..... and drive away.
...........
Farky is miserable.
Farky is sad.
This is the worst day
He's ever had.
.......
A few minutes later, two bicycles appear in the distance.
No wait, three!
One has green wheels and is tiny. They get closer, and stop at the tree.
A dog! says Margaret. Tied up to a tree in the middle of nowhere. How cruel.
Professor Xu Xing is forced to agree.
Untie him, says Margaret.
Professor Xu Xing dismounts and approaches.
Baby Pierre approaches too.
I know that string! says Baby Pierre. It's from when I went diving!
You can dive? says Professor Xu Xing. Your talents are unending.
Farky looks patient.
Yes, says Baby Pierre. I was diving for a ruby sea dragon. I went the deepest. I was...
Farky looks glum.
Untie him, says Margaret.
No one wants to. The string is disgusting.
All of a sudden, Farky is assailed by long distance Reiki.
He yelps, leaps, half-strangles himself and collapses.
This is not to say Reiki is dangerous.
But Level Three should NEVER be practised by a beginner.
Monday, June 1, 2015
The Subtle Body
The old blue Kombi is vibrating badly.
Gaius stares at his chakra bracelet made out of lava rock beads, spaced with Tibetan silver Buddhas.
Go on, says Lauren. I swear it will make you feel better. The seven big ones represent each of your chakras.
Gaius looks blank.
Don't you know what they are? asks Lauren.
She launches into an explanation. She has studied these things.
We each have seven main chakras, says Lauren. They represent energy points in our subtle body.
This term usually elicits a question.
Why doesn't he ask it?
You look troubled, says Lauren, stopping the Kombi. Would you like me to perform Reiki? I'm at Level Two.
Lauren, says Gaius. I must apologise. You have been very kind. But I cannot bring myself to wear a bracelet of lava rock beads.
I understand, says Lauren. They're bad karma for you. I've got others. What about a black onyx?
I prefer not to wear a bracelet at all, says Gaius.
You have too many hangups, says Lauren. Reiki can help you. Get in the back and lie down.
Gaius is shocked.
Don't worry, says Lauren. You keep your clothes on. I don't even touch you. Level Two Reiki practitioners work in the subtle plane.
Gaius doesn't like to say no to everything. And he is curious by nature. So he climbs into the back of the Kombi with Lauren and lies down.
She starts to perform a series of hand gestures.
Crown, brow, throat, heart, solar plexus, sacral, root.
........
Look, says Arthur. Isn't that Lauren's Kombi?
Sweezus pays no attention. It's difficult riding with Farky tucked under one arm.
At first he tried with Farky facing forwards. Too much licking.
Now he has Farky facing in a southerly direction. It's worse. Too much tail.
They draw level with the Kombi.
No head emerges. Just a faint smell of incense, that's all.
And a gentle almost imperceptible vibration, which is Gaius's psychic energy being channelled through each of the nodes in his subtle body.
At this point in time, Lauren has reached his root chakra.
Gaius is extremely relaxed.
This is karma, says Sweezus. The van being here. Got any string?
Arthur feels in his pocket:
knitting needles, dirty white Russian feathers, a package
and further down
a tangle of string.
Yes, says Arthur. It's gone a bit green though. It's from Esperance.
And it's mouldy, says Sweezus. And it stinks.
Good time to use it, says Arthur.
They tie the dog to the Kombi, and head off towards Adelaide.
Farky looks like a dog that has found paradise and lost it.
He howls.
The Reiki stops abruptly.
Gaius stares at his chakra bracelet made out of lava rock beads, spaced with Tibetan silver Buddhas.
Go on, says Lauren. I swear it will make you feel better. The seven big ones represent each of your chakras.
Gaius looks blank.
Don't you know what they are? asks Lauren.
She launches into an explanation. She has studied these things.
We each have seven main chakras, says Lauren. They represent energy points in our subtle body.
This term usually elicits a question.
Why doesn't he ask it?
You look troubled, says Lauren, stopping the Kombi. Would you like me to perform Reiki? I'm at Level Two.
Lauren, says Gaius. I must apologise. You have been very kind. But I cannot bring myself to wear a bracelet of lava rock beads.
I understand, says Lauren. They're bad karma for you. I've got others. What about a black onyx?
I prefer not to wear a bracelet at all, says Gaius.
You have too many hangups, says Lauren. Reiki can help you. Get in the back and lie down.
Gaius is shocked.
Don't worry, says Lauren. You keep your clothes on. I don't even touch you. Level Two Reiki practitioners work in the subtle plane.
Gaius doesn't like to say no to everything. And he is curious by nature. So he climbs into the back of the Kombi with Lauren and lies down.
She starts to perform a series of hand gestures.
Crown, brow, throat, heart, solar plexus, sacral, root.
........
Look, says Arthur. Isn't that Lauren's Kombi?
Sweezus pays no attention. It's difficult riding with Farky tucked under one arm.
At first he tried with Farky facing forwards. Too much licking.
Now he has Farky facing in a southerly direction. It's worse. Too much tail.
They draw level with the Kombi.
No head emerges. Just a faint smell of incense, that's all.
And a gentle almost imperceptible vibration, which is Gaius's psychic energy being channelled through each of the nodes in his subtle body.
At this point in time, Lauren has reached his root chakra.
Gaius is extremely relaxed.
This is karma, says Sweezus. The van being here. Got any string?
Arthur feels in his pocket:
knitting needles, dirty white Russian feathers, a package
and further down
a tangle of string.
Yes, says Arthur. It's gone a bit green though. It's from Esperance.
And it's mouldy, says Sweezus. And it stinks.
Good time to use it, says Arthur.
They tie the dog to the Kombi, and head off towards Adelaide.
Farky looks like a dog that has found paradise and lost it.
He howls.
The Reiki stops abruptly.
Into The Startled Arms
Twenty minutes later, Lauren Swales arrives, in a faded blue Kombi.
Cool van! says Sweezus.
It's Bob's, says Lauren. I mean, Surfing-With-Whales.
How's he going? asks Sweezus.
Good, says Lauren. He's been helping me out in the shop. Import and export.
Arthur is peering in the window. A large dog peers out.
Woof Woof!
Shut up Farky! says Lauren.
Farky! says Sweezus. No WAY!
No, says Lauren. It's not him. We named him after your Farky.
But try telling that to Farky.
Farky leaps about inside the Kombi as though being stung by ten bees.
Lauren lets him out.
He leaps into the startled arms of Sweezus.
Well, says Gaius. Hello Lauren. Did I hear a mention of pizza?
Gaius! says Lauren. Here's me ignoring you! Let me find it.
She opens an esky crammed full of small packages.
All for me? asks Gaius, in an attempt to be jocular.
No, says Lauren. The pizza is down at the bottom.
She starts pulling out packages, some of which smell aromatic.
Arthur picks one up and sniffs it. Somehow it falls into his pocket.
Stop it Farky! says Sweezus. Stop licking me!
Farky loves Sweezus, but he is not the old Farky.
He hasn't had four knee reconstructions.
Sweezus puts him down. He bounds around madly.
Here we are, says Lauren. The pizza. I remembered you don't like tomato.
Dear lady, says Gaius. You're a gem amongst women.
He bites into the ham and pineapple pizza with no tomato. Cold but delicious.
Shall we get going ? asks Lauren. I want to get to Adelaide before the shops shut.
Certainly, says Gaius. How do I get in?
Step up, says Lauren. Easy does it. Would you boys like to finish the pizza?
Thanks, Mrs Swales, says Sweezus.
Lauren drives off, without a backward look at Farky.
Makes you wonder..... but oh, surely not.
Gaius leans back into the comfortable upholstery.
So you had concussion? says Lauren. What happened?
I was brought down by echinoids, says Gaius. trying again to be jocular.
Oh yes, says Lauren, It's an epidemic. Have you tried cold and flu tablets?
No, no, says Gaius. Fossils. Bryozoans.
Not a brand I've heard of, says Lauren. Must be new. But anyway, I've got something much better. Try one of these.
Gaius's interest is mildly stimulated. What is she going to give him?
He opens the package.
Good grief! Lava balls!
It's a Chakra bracelet, says Lauren. It'll heal you. Put it on.
But there is NO WAY that Gaius is going to allow lava balls near his chakras.
Cool van! says Sweezus.
It's Bob's, says Lauren. I mean, Surfing-With-Whales.
How's he going? asks Sweezus.
Good, says Lauren. He's been helping me out in the shop. Import and export.
Arthur is peering in the window. A large dog peers out.
Woof Woof!
Shut up Farky! says Lauren.
Farky! says Sweezus. No WAY!
No, says Lauren. It's not him. We named him after your Farky.
But try telling that to Farky.
Farky leaps about inside the Kombi as though being stung by ten bees.
Lauren lets him out.
He leaps into the startled arms of Sweezus.
Well, says Gaius. Hello Lauren. Did I hear a mention of pizza?
Gaius! says Lauren. Here's me ignoring you! Let me find it.
She opens an esky crammed full of small packages.
All for me? asks Gaius, in an attempt to be jocular.
No, says Lauren. The pizza is down at the bottom.
She starts pulling out packages, some of which smell aromatic.
Arthur picks one up and sniffs it. Somehow it falls into his pocket.
Stop it Farky! says Sweezus. Stop licking me!
Farky loves Sweezus, but he is not the old Farky.
He hasn't had four knee reconstructions.
Sweezus puts him down. He bounds around madly.
Here we are, says Lauren. The pizza. I remembered you don't like tomato.
Dear lady, says Gaius. You're a gem amongst women.
He bites into the ham and pineapple pizza with no tomato. Cold but delicious.
Shall we get going ? asks Lauren. I want to get to Adelaide before the shops shut.
Certainly, says Gaius. How do I get in?
Step up, says Lauren. Easy does it. Would you boys like to finish the pizza?
Thanks, Mrs Swales, says Sweezus.
Lauren drives off, without a backward look at Farky.
Makes you wonder..... but oh, surely not.
Gaius leans back into the comfortable upholstery.
So you had concussion? says Lauren. What happened?
I was brought down by echinoids, says Gaius. trying again to be jocular.
Oh yes, says Lauren, It's an epidemic. Have you tried cold and flu tablets?
No, no, says Gaius. Fossils. Bryozoans.
Not a brand I've heard of, says Lauren. Must be new. But anyway, I've got something much better. Try one of these.
Gaius's interest is mildly stimulated. What is she going to give him?
He opens the package.
Good grief! Lava balls!
It's a Chakra bracelet, says Lauren. It'll heal you. Put it on.
But there is NO WAY that Gaius is going to allow lava balls near his chakras.
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