Cairns airport.
Humboldt, Celia and the lower ranks of Team Crustacean enter the terminal.
Ageless and Terence are there to greet them.
Ageless heads straight for the plum box.
Kobo! cries Ageless. Do you still love me?
As much as always, says Kobo. Why are you asking?
Never mind, says Ageless darkly.
He skitters back to Terence.
You were lying!
What on? asks Terence.
What ABOUT! shouts Ageless.
How should I know? asks Terence. Where's my parrot?
Here I am, says Celia. We've beaten the cyclone.
So have we, says Terence.
You arrived earlier than we did, says Celia. So that goes without saying.
Then why say it? asks Terence.
Celia sighs. Should she explain the nature of temporal progression? No, maybe later.
Where are the others? asks Humboldt.
Went on ahead, says Ageless. As I should have done.
It's good you waited, captain, says Blue Claw. We can talk bikes.
That's not why I waited, says Ageless.
I get a free one, says Blue Claw. You said so.
Yes, yes, says Ageless. You shall have Baby Pierre's bike, unless it's too small. It might be. Then the domestiques can have it, but that leaves you wheel-less.
Blue Claw hadn't factored in that he might end up wheel-less.
So why did you wait? asks Kobo.
Doesn't matter, mutters Ageless.
To ask you to marry him, says Terence.
Ageless chokes on some spittle.
Pch-spaak!
That is obviously not the reason, says Kobo. I would not marry Ageless.
No! says Ageless. But you would....
He bites his tongue. He will not mention the Rangerbot.
It's about team cohesion.
We'll get the next flight to Adelaide, says Humboldt. I'll see about tickets. Stay here Terence. I'll leave you in charge.
He heads off.
Yay! Terence is in charge of Team Crustacean. Even Ageless.
Your team is useless, says Terence. It's got girls in it.
Is there a women's race? asks Pinky.
There should be, says Kobo.
There is, says Blue Claw. They run it first and it's shorter.
Will we get back in time? asks Kobo.
NO WAY! snaps Ageless.
Monday, January 7, 2019
Sunday, January 6, 2019
Burst Or Drifted Away
The thundercloud drifts in a easterly direction
Any chance of the cyclone returning? asks Humboldt.
Highly likely, says Tom. But get in, and we'll beat it to Cairns.
Hub-brummmm. The Gypsy Moth takes off.
Celia looks down. Goodbye Weipa.
First time you've left Weipa? asks Humboldt.
In a plane, yes, says Celia. I've flown all over Cape York. I have parrot friends everywhere. They will miss me. But now, I'm following my heart.
How romantic, says Kobo. What does your heart tell you?
That my future is bound up with Terence, says Celia. I am his first proper parrot.
So he says, says Humboldt. He has a thing about parrots, but his previous parrots have been of non-parrot species.
Yes, one was a balloon, says Kobo. I can't remember whether it burst, or just drifted away.
How SAD, says Pinky.
Ha ha, laughs Tom MacDonald.
Why do you laugh? asks Pinky.
Apologies, says Tom. Just found it funny you thought it was sad.
Because I'm a rubber glove? asks Pinky.
Yeah, admits Tom MacDonald.
He resolves to be more sensitive to rubber passengers, in the future.
Putt-putt. Hop-pop. It's just turbulence.
Putt-putt.
Brmmm.
Now it's finished.
So, says Tom, you all in this bike race?
Yes, says Pinky. And me and Kobo have never cycled before.
Cripes! says Tom MacDonald. What about the Blue Claw?
Me either, says Blue Claw. But I follow cycling. I know all about it. The tactics, the diet, the legs, the commentary, the fans, the clowns and the tooters.
Impressive, says Tom. I've watched a bit of it. I like that one that's in France.
I was in it, last year, says Humboldt. My first time.
How did you do? asks Tom MacDonald.
But Humboldt doesn't wish to boast in front of the newbies.
Average, says Humboldt.
Can't grumble at that, says Tom MacDonald.
Blue Claw remains silent. But he knows he will grumble if Team Crustacean's performance is average.
He sits back and dreams of success.
His legs quiver.
Kobo shivers slightly.
Pinky inflates and deflates.
Celia is silent, thinking of what Blue Claw said he knows about cycling.
It sounds childish. Tooters!
And she doesn't like clowns.
Any chance of the cyclone returning? asks Humboldt.
Highly likely, says Tom. But get in, and we'll beat it to Cairns.
Hub-brummmm. The Gypsy Moth takes off.
Celia looks down. Goodbye Weipa.
First time you've left Weipa? asks Humboldt.
In a plane, yes, says Celia. I've flown all over Cape York. I have parrot friends everywhere. They will miss me. But now, I'm following my heart.
How romantic, says Kobo. What does your heart tell you?
That my future is bound up with Terence, says Celia. I am his first proper parrot.
So he says, says Humboldt. He has a thing about parrots, but his previous parrots have been of non-parrot species.
Yes, one was a balloon, says Kobo. I can't remember whether it burst, or just drifted away.
How SAD, says Pinky.
Ha ha, laughs Tom MacDonald.
Why do you laugh? asks Pinky.
Apologies, says Tom. Just found it funny you thought it was sad.
Because I'm a rubber glove? asks Pinky.
Yeah, admits Tom MacDonald.
He resolves to be more sensitive to rubber passengers, in the future.
Putt-putt. Hop-pop. It's just turbulence.
Putt-putt.
Brmmm.
Now it's finished.
So, says Tom, you all in this bike race?
Yes, says Pinky. And me and Kobo have never cycled before.
Cripes! says Tom MacDonald. What about the Blue Claw?
Me either, says Blue Claw. But I follow cycling. I know all about it. The tactics, the diet, the legs, the commentary, the fans, the clowns and the tooters.
Impressive, says Tom. I've watched a bit of it. I like that one that's in France.
I was in it, last year, says Humboldt. My first time.
How did you do? asks Tom MacDonald.
But Humboldt doesn't wish to boast in front of the newbies.
Average, says Humboldt.
Can't grumble at that, says Tom MacDonald.
Blue Claw remains silent. But he knows he will grumble if Team Crustacean's performance is average.
He sits back and dreams of success.
His legs quiver.
Kobo shivers slightly.
Pinky inflates and deflates.
Celia is silent, thinking of what Blue Claw said he knows about cycling.
It sounds childish. Tooters!
And she doesn't like clowns.
Saturday, January 5, 2019
Passing Dark Hours
Three hours later, back in Weipa.
Kobo consoles the Blue Claw.
Ageless just landed in Cairns. You won't be Team Leader. Pity. You'd have been a good one.
Never mind. I didn't feel ready, says Blue Claw.
What's this all about? asks Humboldt, who had been miles away, dreaming of Chimborazo.
Kobo had a message, says Pinky. It was from Ageless. He thought he would die.
Message? says Humboldt. Has there been a message?
Yes. Kobo got it, says Pinky.
They have a supernatural connection, says Celia. Didn't you know that?
Really, says Humboldt. No, I didn't know that. Has it proved useful?
It has helped to pass the dark hours, says Kobo. Ageless gets bored because he is immortal. I am trapped in this clam.
You ARE the clam, surely, says Humboldt. Oh dear. Have I made a faux pas?
Are you your travelling clothes? asks Kobo. Are you those trousers? That grubby white shirt?
Yes, it is rather grubby , says Humboldt. I shall be glad to get home.
The sky is cloudless. There is a good chance of that happening.
So, says Blue Claw. For me, it's back to being a Sprinter. What role do you play?
Me? says Humboldt. Depends. I fancy myself as a climber. I lived for years on Mount Chimborazo. It was where I met Pauline.
Is she your girlfriend? asks Pinky.
He hasn't got a girlfriend, says Celia.
How do you know? asks Humboldt.
No phone, says Celia. To have a girlfriend you must have a phone.
Ageless hasn't, says Humboldt. But I suppose that's because he has the supernatural connection.
Prtt! says Kobo. I wish he did have a phone.
If I had a phone I could call Pauline, says Humboldt. Look up, she used to say. Look up. It was her favourite saying.
As if the spirit of Pauline had made a supernatural connection, Humboldt looks up, just as Tom MacDonald is returning.
Tom swoops in his Gypsy Moth. And waves at Humboldt.
A tiny thundercloud appears on the horizon.
Kobo consoles the Blue Claw.
Ageless just landed in Cairns. You won't be Team Leader. Pity. You'd have been a good one.
Never mind. I didn't feel ready, says Blue Claw.
What's this all about? asks Humboldt, who had been miles away, dreaming of Chimborazo.
Kobo had a message, says Pinky. It was from Ageless. He thought he would die.
Message? says Humboldt. Has there been a message?
Yes. Kobo got it, says Pinky.
They have a supernatural connection, says Celia. Didn't you know that?
Really, says Humboldt. No, I didn't know that. Has it proved useful?
It has helped to pass the dark hours, says Kobo. Ageless gets bored because he is immortal. I am trapped in this clam.
You ARE the clam, surely, says Humboldt. Oh dear. Have I made a faux pas?
Are you your travelling clothes? asks Kobo. Are you those trousers? That grubby white shirt?
Yes, it is rather grubby , says Humboldt. I shall be glad to get home.
The sky is cloudless. There is a good chance of that happening.
So, says Blue Claw. For me, it's back to being a Sprinter. What role do you play?
Me? says Humboldt. Depends. I fancy myself as a climber. I lived for years on Mount Chimborazo. It was where I met Pauline.
Is she your girlfriend? asks Pinky.
He hasn't got a girlfriend, says Celia.
How do you know? asks Humboldt.
No phone, says Celia. To have a girlfriend you must have a phone.
Ageless hasn't, says Humboldt. But I suppose that's because he has the supernatural connection.
Prtt! says Kobo. I wish he did have a phone.
If I had a phone I could call Pauline, says Humboldt. Look up, she used to say. Look up. It was her favourite saying.
As if the spirit of Pauline had made a supernatural connection, Humboldt looks up, just as Tom MacDonald is returning.
Tom swoops in his Gypsy Moth. And waves at Humboldt.
A tiny thundercloud appears on the horizon.
Friday, January 4, 2019
The Act Of Pounding
Yuck! What's that? asks Terence.
Earwax, says Tom Macdonald. Sorry. I know I shouldn't use a pencil.
Indeed you shouldn't, says Gaius. Especially up here with this turbulence.
Tom wipes the pencil on his trousers.
Terence doesn't want it.
Fortunately, they are now over Cairns. The flight is over.
The Gypsy Moth lands, and Ageless stops pacing.
No need to post your goodbye letter, says Gaius.
Too late, says Ageless. I wish I'd known this would happen.
Me too, says Terence.
Thank you for the ride, Tom, says Gaius. Goodbye.
No worries, says Tom. I'll just check on the weather, then I'll fly back to Weipa and pick up your friends.
Excellent, says Gaius.
He heads for the terminal with Ageless. Terence races ahead to see if Sweezus and Arthur have landed.
They have.
Guess what! cries Terence. I was writing a letter.
You can't write, says Sweezus.
I didn't have a pencil, says Terence. Then I got one but it had ear wax on it. Then we landed.
Cool, says Sweezus. Where's the others?
Here, says Gaius. But unfortunately, some of our party are still stuck in Weipa.
Half my team, says Ageless. Blue Claw and my two domestiques.
Bad luck, says Sweezus. Arthur's come good, though.
Let me see your hands, Arthur, says Gaius.
Arthur shows him.
Pounded cabbage twice a day, says Gaius. Fomented in hot water.
Thanks, says Arthur.
You must pound it yourself, says Gaius The act of pounding itself promotes healing.
I know, says Arthur.
Have you told him that before? asks Sweezus.
I'm sure I have, says Gaius. Now the question is, do we wait here for Humboldt and party, or do we push on?
Push on, says Sweezus. We've got to organise our new outfits, and check out the stages.
I suppose I should also push on, says Gaius. Find my bicycle. Oil it. Rinse out my lycra.
No-o! wails Terence. We have to wait for Celia!
I'll wait here with him, says Ageless.
No kidding? says Sweezus. You'd do that?
Yes he WOULD! cries Terence. He wants to tell Kobo he's loved her for Ian's.
Aeons, says Ageless.
Actually, it doesn't sound all that different.
Earwax, says Tom Macdonald. Sorry. I know I shouldn't use a pencil.
Indeed you shouldn't, says Gaius. Especially up here with this turbulence.
Tom wipes the pencil on his trousers.
Terence doesn't want it.
Fortunately, they are now over Cairns. The flight is over.
The Gypsy Moth lands, and Ageless stops pacing.
No need to post your goodbye letter, says Gaius.
Too late, says Ageless. I wish I'd known this would happen.
Me too, says Terence.
Thank you for the ride, Tom, says Gaius. Goodbye.
No worries, says Tom. I'll just check on the weather, then I'll fly back to Weipa and pick up your friends.
Excellent, says Gaius.
He heads for the terminal with Ageless. Terence races ahead to see if Sweezus and Arthur have landed.
They have.
Guess what! cries Terence. I was writing a letter.
You can't write, says Sweezus.
I didn't have a pencil, says Terence. Then I got one but it had ear wax on it. Then we landed.
Cool, says Sweezus. Where's the others?
Here, says Gaius. But unfortunately, some of our party are still stuck in Weipa.
Half my team, says Ageless. Blue Claw and my two domestiques.
Bad luck, says Sweezus. Arthur's come good, though.
Let me see your hands, Arthur, says Gaius.
Arthur shows him.
Pounded cabbage twice a day, says Gaius. Fomented in hot water.
Thanks, says Arthur.
You must pound it yourself, says Gaius The act of pounding itself promotes healing.
I know, says Arthur.
Have you told him that before? asks Sweezus.
I'm sure I have, says Gaius. Now the question is, do we wait here for Humboldt and party, or do we push on?
Push on, says Sweezus. We've got to organise our new outfits, and check out the stages.
I suppose I should also push on, says Gaius. Find my bicycle. Oil it. Rinse out my lycra.
No-o! wails Terence. We have to wait for Celia!
I'll wait here with him, says Ageless.
No kidding? says Sweezus. You'd do that?
Yes he WOULD! cries Terence. He wants to tell Kobo he's loved her for Ian's.
Aeons, says Ageless.
Actually, it doesn't sound all that different.
Thursday, January 3, 2019
I May Not Be Immortal
Sweezus tips bottled water over Arthur's festering cut.
The little feathers dislodge themselves and dribble down Arthur's leg to the floor of the plane.
It looks better already, says Sweezus. Let's see the other one.
Arthur holds out the other one while Sweezus unwraps it.
Urr, says Sweezus. I reckon the bandages are the problem.
Have I stopped bleeding? asks Arthur.
A sensible question.
Yeah, says Sweezus. Let's chuck the bandages.
No, says Arthur. I might need them again.
You can get new ones, says Sweezus. These are disgusting.
A flight attendant walks by with a rubbish bag.
Any rubbish?
The bandages go in.
Great! says Sweezus. Now that you're better....
(Arthur believes him)
....we can talk tactics.
Okay, says Arthur.
He is tempted to pick at his scabs.
But they're sticky. He shouldn't.
Basically, says Sweezus, we just need to hope it's really hot.
Good tactic, says Arthur.
The plane hits some turbulence.
A soft scab falls off. It's not his fault.
Then another.
.......
Weather's catching up with us, says Tom MacDonald.
Should we turn back? asks Gaius.
No, best we keep going, says Tom MacDonald.
Clunk! Bonk! The Gypsy Moth swoops and dives as a heavy cloud passes.
Rain drops spatter the windscreen.
Woe! says Ageless. I'm doomed to never again set eyes on my Kobo!
Bullshit! says Tom MacDonald.
Bullshit! says Terence.
Terence! says Gaius.
HE said it! says Terence.
He's the captain, says Gaius.
Just a few drops of rain, says Tom MacDonald. You don't know how hairy things can get up here, do you?
Woe! mutters Ageless.
Why don't you compose a letter to Kobo, suggests Gaius. Terence can help you. He has a pencil.
Terence did not know he had a pencil.
He looks for his pencil.
What shall I say? moans Ageless.
That depends on whether you expect to survive or perish, says Gaius.
Steady on, says Tom MacDonald. We're perfectly s....
Gaius winks meaningfully.
On second thoughts, great idea, says Tom MacDonald.
Perish! says Terence.
How can you be so calm? shrieks Ageless.
Come on, says Terence. I've nearly found a pencil. Start talking.
My beloved, says Ageless, calming down a little. My soft and delicious beloved. I may not be immortal.
Ha ha, laughs Terence.
It's not funny, says Ageless. An accident is always possible.
True, says Gaius. Perhaps we should all write a letter to a dear one.
I'm half way through mine, says Ageless.
Sorry, says Gaius. Go on.
...not be immortal, says Ageless. Therefore I must say goodbye. I have loved only you for aeons. I can't believe you want to marry a Rangerbot. My hope is that Terence is lying. Please submit to Blue Claw as captain of Team Crustacean. That goes for Pinky as well. Alas! I must leave you. Always remember your Ageless.
That's very good, says Gaius. Kobo is certainly ageless.
That's not what I meant, says Ageless. Have you recorded that, Terence?
No, says Terence. And I'm not going to write that you hope I was lying.
Leave it out then, says Gaius.
It's all out, says Terence. No pencil.
Have mine, says Tom MacDonald, drawing a short stubby pencil from behind his left ear.
Yuck. There's ear wax on it.
The little feathers dislodge themselves and dribble down Arthur's leg to the floor of the plane.
It looks better already, says Sweezus. Let's see the other one.
Arthur holds out the other one while Sweezus unwraps it.
Urr, says Sweezus. I reckon the bandages are the problem.
Have I stopped bleeding? asks Arthur.
A sensible question.
Yeah, says Sweezus. Let's chuck the bandages.
No, says Arthur. I might need them again.
You can get new ones, says Sweezus. These are disgusting.
A flight attendant walks by with a rubbish bag.
Any rubbish?
The bandages go in.
Great! says Sweezus. Now that you're better....
(Arthur believes him)
....we can talk tactics.
Okay, says Arthur.
He is tempted to pick at his scabs.
But they're sticky. He shouldn't.
Basically, says Sweezus, we just need to hope it's really hot.
Good tactic, says Arthur.
The plane hits some turbulence.
A soft scab falls off. It's not his fault.
Then another.
.......
Weather's catching up with us, says Tom MacDonald.
Should we turn back? asks Gaius.
No, best we keep going, says Tom MacDonald.
Clunk! Bonk! The Gypsy Moth swoops and dives as a heavy cloud passes.
Rain drops spatter the windscreen.
Woe! says Ageless. I'm doomed to never again set eyes on my Kobo!
Bullshit! says Tom MacDonald.
Bullshit! says Terence.
Terence! says Gaius.
HE said it! says Terence.
He's the captain, says Gaius.
Just a few drops of rain, says Tom MacDonald. You don't know how hairy things can get up here, do you?
Woe! mutters Ageless.
Why don't you compose a letter to Kobo, suggests Gaius. Terence can help you. He has a pencil.
Terence did not know he had a pencil.
He looks for his pencil.
What shall I say? moans Ageless.
That depends on whether you expect to survive or perish, says Gaius.
Steady on, says Tom MacDonald. We're perfectly s....
Gaius winks meaningfully.
On second thoughts, great idea, says Tom MacDonald.
Perish! says Terence.
How can you be so calm? shrieks Ageless.
Come on, says Terence. I've nearly found a pencil. Start talking.
My beloved, says Ageless, calming down a little. My soft and delicious beloved. I may not be immortal.
Ha ha, laughs Terence.
It's not funny, says Ageless. An accident is always possible.
True, says Gaius. Perhaps we should all write a letter to a dear one.
I'm half way through mine, says Ageless.
Sorry, says Gaius. Go on.
...not be immortal, says Ageless. Therefore I must say goodbye. I have loved only you for aeons. I can't believe you want to marry a Rangerbot. My hope is that Terence is lying. Please submit to Blue Claw as captain of Team Crustacean. That goes for Pinky as well. Alas! I must leave you. Always remember your Ageless.
That's very good, says Gaius. Kobo is certainly ageless.
That's not what I meant, says Ageless. Have you recorded that, Terence?
No, says Terence. And I'm not going to write that you hope I was lying.
Leave it out then, says Gaius.
It's all out, says Terence. No pencil.
Have mine, says Tom MacDonald, drawing a short stubby pencil from behind his left ear.
Yuck. There's ear wax on it.
Wednesday, January 2, 2019
A Kiss Slowly Rising
Gaius knows he should not retell the comical story.
Not to Ageless.
What's the story? asks Ageless.
Never mind, says Gaius. The sooner we take off the better, I imagine.
Too right, says Tom MacDonald. That tropical cyclone's not here yet, but it's coming.
Come on, Terence, says Gaius. Leave the pot.
No, I'm bringing it, says Terence. To remind me of Blue Claw.
No, says Tom MacDonald. You can't bring it.
They clamber into the Gypsy Moth and Tom starts the engine.
Buzz-burr-ummm!
They take off into the cyclone-free blue yonder.
Weee! says Terence. Look down there! I can see Humboldt and Celia. And Pinky and Blue Claw! And even Kobo!
I don't think so, says Gaius. Those are probably ant heaps.
Yes, things look different up here, says Tom MacDonald. Even Rangerbots sometimes look like jellies.
Why does everyone keep talking about Rangerbots? asks Ageless. Are they a problem?
Ha ha! Not unless you're a crown of thorns starfish, says Tom.
Kobo LOVES them, says Terence.
What's this? says Ageless. My Kobo? She never told me.
She wants to marry one, says Terence.
(He is making this up).
Woe! moans Ageless. Take me back to Weipa. I must quiz my beloved!
No way, says Tom MacDonald. Settle down there.
But Ageless is pacing back and forth on his seat in the Gypsy Moth, magnificently jealous.
.........
Sweezus and Arthur are flying in greater comfort.
Arthur is still spouting poetry.
I know the skies bursting with lightning and the waterspouts and the surf and the currents....
Yeah, you do, says Sweezus. Sit back and relax, bro. As soon as we get to Cairns I'll get you a doctor.
A kiss slowly rising to the eyes of the sea, says Arthur.
Yeah right, says Sweezus. Let me look at that hand.
He unwraps Arthur's dirty bandage.
The cut is festering. Little feathers stick out of it.
Sweezus asks for some water.
........
Humboldt is sitting on a seat at the airstrip in Weipa, watching the weather.
It's now raining heavily and wind gusts are reaching 110 kph.
Whoo! A stack of chairs blows over.
Craa-ark! A tree falls on a car in the car park.
Red alert! All flights are now cancelled, says a voice on the loudspeaker.
Damn, says Humboldt. I'm stuck here in Weipa with a parrot, a prawn, a pink rubber glove and a fossilised clam. This is annoying.
Not to Ageless.
What's the story? asks Ageless.
Never mind, says Gaius. The sooner we take off the better, I imagine.
Too right, says Tom MacDonald. That tropical cyclone's not here yet, but it's coming.
Come on, Terence, says Gaius. Leave the pot.
No, I'm bringing it, says Terence. To remind me of Blue Claw.
No, says Tom MacDonald. You can't bring it.
They clamber into the Gypsy Moth and Tom starts the engine.
Buzz-burr-ummm!
They take off into the cyclone-free blue yonder.
Weee! says Terence. Look down there! I can see Humboldt and Celia. And Pinky and Blue Claw! And even Kobo!
I don't think so, says Gaius. Those are probably ant heaps.
Yes, things look different up here, says Tom MacDonald. Even Rangerbots sometimes look like jellies.
Why does everyone keep talking about Rangerbots? asks Ageless. Are they a problem?
Ha ha! Not unless you're a crown of thorns starfish, says Tom.
Kobo LOVES them, says Terence.
What's this? says Ageless. My Kobo? She never told me.
She wants to marry one, says Terence.
(He is making this up).
Woe! moans Ageless. Take me back to Weipa. I must quiz my beloved!
No way, says Tom MacDonald. Settle down there.
But Ageless is pacing back and forth on his seat in the Gypsy Moth, magnificently jealous.
.........
Sweezus and Arthur are flying in greater comfort.
Arthur is still spouting poetry.
I know the skies bursting with lightning and the waterspouts and the surf and the currents....
Yeah, you do, says Sweezus. Sit back and relax, bro. As soon as we get to Cairns I'll get you a doctor.
A kiss slowly rising to the eyes of the sea, says Arthur.
Yeah right, says Sweezus. Let me look at that hand.
He unwraps Arthur's dirty bandage.
The cut is festering. Little feathers stick out of it.
Sweezus asks for some water.
........
Humboldt is sitting on a seat at the airstrip in Weipa, watching the weather.
It's now raining heavily and wind gusts are reaching 110 kph.
Whoo! A stack of chairs blows over.
Craa-ark! A tree falls on a car in the car park.
Red alert! All flights are now cancelled, says a voice on the loudspeaker.
Damn, says Humboldt. I'm stuck here in Weipa with a parrot, a prawn, a pink rubber glove and a fossilised clam. This is annoying.
Tuesday, January 1, 2019
Sure Means NOT
The Gypsy Moth lands at the end of the airstrip.
Tom MacDonald climbs out.
Ah! says Humboldt. He might take some of us back to Cairns. Let's ask him.
Good day, says Tom MacDonald. Don't I I know you?
You gave me a lift here a few months ago, says Humboldt. We flew over the reef, to see how it was faring.
Sure I remember! says Tom MacDonald. You had that fossilised clam with you. Kobo. Yeah. We swooped down and saw a Rangerbot. Ha ha! And she fell in love with it.
Ach! Is Ageless listening?
No, luckily. He has gone into the terminal with Sweezus and Arthur to try and wangle some last minute tickets.
Rangerbot! squeaks Pinky. You fell in love with a Rangerbot?
Yes and no, says Kobo. It was more of a fantasy. Rangerbots are so handsome.
O are they? says Pinky.
She has no idea what a Rangerbot looks like. She imagines dark eyes and stiff fingers. Pink. One shade deeper than she is.
Not yellow, the standard colour.
Sweezus comes out of the terminal with good news. Arthur has qualified for two compassionate tickets, due to his delirium.
Yeah, says Sweezus. That's me and Arthur sorted. And we can take Terence if he goes in an overhead locker.
I'm not going in an overhead locker, says Terence. I went in one before.
No you didn't, says Sweezus.
How would you like a ride in my Gypsy Moth? asks Tom MacDonald.
Yay! says Terence. And my parrot?
I'd prefer an overhead locker, says Celia.
Don't suppose you could take Gaius and me? says Humboldt. And our lobster with his small entourage.
One adult and one infant, and the lobster, says Tom. Best I can do. But I could come back for the others.
You go, says Humboldt to Gaius. I've already had the pleasure.
If you're sure, says Gaius.
Least I can do, says Humboldt. I'll stay here and watch the weather, with Celia, Blue Claw, Kobo and Pinky.
Sweezus and Arthur head for their plane, which is boarding.
Gaius, Terence and Ageless wait for Tom MacDonald to refuel, and go to the toilet.
Humboldt sits on a seat with Celia and the plum box beside him, and Terence's pot.
Goodbye Celia, says Terence.
Goodbye, says Celia. I'm sure we'll meet again.
That means you're NOT! says Terence.
No it doesn't, says Celia.
Yes it DOES! says Terence. It's like when Belle says I'm sure you'll win next time.
Who is Belle? asks Celia.
She takes me to bike races, says Terence.
And do you win next time? asks Celia. I probably shouldn't be asking.
Not ME! says Terence. Sweezus. She tells him she's sure he'll win next time. And he doesn't.
It's not the same, says Celia. Here comes Tom MacDonald. You're going. Have a good flight. Keep an eye out for Rangerbots!
Rangerbots! What are they? cries Ageless. Are we in danger?
No no, says Gaius. They are robotic creatures patrolling the reef to kill crown of thorns starfish, Tom told us a comical story....
Tom MacDonald climbs out.
Ah! says Humboldt. He might take some of us back to Cairns. Let's ask him.
Good day, says Tom MacDonald. Don't I I know you?
You gave me a lift here a few months ago, says Humboldt. We flew over the reef, to see how it was faring.
Sure I remember! says Tom MacDonald. You had that fossilised clam with you. Kobo. Yeah. We swooped down and saw a Rangerbot. Ha ha! And she fell in love with it.
Ach! Is Ageless listening?
No, luckily. He has gone into the terminal with Sweezus and Arthur to try and wangle some last minute tickets.
Rangerbot! squeaks Pinky. You fell in love with a Rangerbot?
Yes and no, says Kobo. It was more of a fantasy. Rangerbots are so handsome.
O are they? says Pinky.
She has no idea what a Rangerbot looks like. She imagines dark eyes and stiff fingers. Pink. One shade deeper than she is.
Not yellow, the standard colour.
Sweezus comes out of the terminal with good news. Arthur has qualified for two compassionate tickets, due to his delirium.
Yeah, says Sweezus. That's me and Arthur sorted. And we can take Terence if he goes in an overhead locker.
I'm not going in an overhead locker, says Terence. I went in one before.
No you didn't, says Sweezus.
How would you like a ride in my Gypsy Moth? asks Tom MacDonald.
Yay! says Terence. And my parrot?
I'd prefer an overhead locker, says Celia.
Don't suppose you could take Gaius and me? says Humboldt. And our lobster with his small entourage.
One adult and one infant, and the lobster, says Tom. Best I can do. But I could come back for the others.
You go, says Humboldt to Gaius. I've already had the pleasure.
If you're sure, says Gaius.
Least I can do, says Humboldt. I'll stay here and watch the weather, with Celia, Blue Claw, Kobo and Pinky.
Sweezus and Arthur head for their plane, which is boarding.
Gaius, Terence and Ageless wait for Tom MacDonald to refuel, and go to the toilet.
Humboldt sits on a seat with Celia and the plum box beside him, and Terence's pot.
Goodbye Celia, says Terence.
Goodbye, says Celia. I'm sure we'll meet again.
That means you're NOT! says Terence.
No it doesn't, says Celia.
Yes it DOES! says Terence. It's like when Belle says I'm sure you'll win next time.
Who is Belle? asks Celia.
She takes me to bike races, says Terence.
And do you win next time? asks Celia. I probably shouldn't be asking.
Not ME! says Terence. Sweezus. She tells him she's sure he'll win next time. And he doesn't.
It's not the same, says Celia. Here comes Tom MacDonald. You're going. Have a good flight. Keep an eye out for Rangerbots!
Rangerbots! What are they? cries Ageless. Are we in danger?
No no, says Gaius. They are robotic creatures patrolling the reef to kill crown of thorns starfish, Tom told us a comical story....
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