I suppose you have many things to do, says Gaius.
I do, says Katherine. So have we decided we're taking the ferry?
Gaius looks at Arthur. Have we?
Sure, says Arthur.
Then I'll go ahead and book, says Katherine. See you all later.
She leaves.
Cheese, says Gaius. What was she talking about?
I don't know, says Arthur. Maybe she's doing a cheese tour while Margaret looks for geological evidence.
I wish I hadn't mentioned the ferry, says Gaius. The ferry docks in Devonport. Flying to Hobart would have been more convenient.
We can still fly to Hobart, says Arthur. And they'll be on the ferry.
Ah! says Gaius. The penny drops. Thank you Arthur. But the ladies won't like it.
You can say you'll meet up with them later, says Arthur.
Yes, of course. What would I do without you? says Gaius. Will you book our flights?
Is Terence coming? says Arthur.
I wonder if Terence would like to go on the ferry? says Gaius.
What did you say? asks Terence.
Would you like to go on the ferry with Katherine and Margaret? says Gaius.
YES! says Terence. I LOVE the ferry. And they'll spoil me.
Right, says Arthur.
He doesn't ask about the parrots.
Jinjing and P. krameri are talking to Baby Pierre who has arrived to pick up his bicycle.
You are lucky, says P. krameri.
Why? asks Baby Pierre.
You got your bike back, says P. krameri.
Why wouldn't I ? asks Baby Pierre.
Mouldy could have kept it, says P krameri.
Kept it, says Jinjing.
No he couldn't, says Baby Pierre. Where is Mouldy anyway?
No one knows, says P. krameri. Last seen riding through Hong Kong Airport being sprayed blue.
What on? asks Baby Pierre.
A red bike, says Jinjing.
No one asked you to say that, says P. krameri.
Woop! says Baby Pierre. Why does someone have to ask him to say stuff?
He works on a button, says P. krameri. He repeats what you say.
But he doesn't, says Baby Pierre. That implies sentience.
Not much, says P. krameri.
You don't like Jinjing do you, says Baby Pierre. I like him.
I like you, says Jinjing.
And he loves Arthur, says P.krameri, nastily.
That's risky, says Baby Pierre.
Saturday, September 7, 2019
Friday, September 6, 2019
The Right Answer Is No.
Arthur does not seem inclined to get Gaius out of his pickle.
He is sitting at the kitchen table eating jam tarts and ginger biscuits.
Terence lifts Jinjing onto the table.
Jinjing inches closer to Arthur.
Yes, says Katherine, pouring the coffee, I do like Tasmania. And when Margaret expressed an interest in exploring the geology, I suggested....
What has this got to do with me? asks Gaius. Arthur and I will be looking for endangered birds.
We could share the expenses, says Katherine. Don't worry. We won't get in your hair. I shall tag along with Margaret as she searches for evidence that Tasmania was once part of Northern America.
Really? says Gaius. That hypothesis has escaped me.
It has escaped most of us, says Katherine. However there is plenty of evidence already. Ask Margaret, she'll fill you in.
No doubt she is full of it, says Gaius.
We were thinking of flying to Hobart, says Katherine.
That's unfortunate, says Gaius. We shall be taking the ferry.
Take the ferry, says Jinjing.
Arthur stops eating his biscuit.
Will you be coming? asks Arthur.
Wherever you go, says Jinjing. I love you.
What did he say? asks Terence.
I love you, says Arthur.
I know he loves me, says Terence.
P krameri is furious.
No one has asked him.
I might go with the ladies, says P. krameri.
But we need you, says Gaius.
Do you? says P. krameri.
You will be invaluable, says Gaius.
I would be invaluable to the ladies, says P. krameri.
You would be a conversation starter, says Katherine. But I'm sure Gaius needs you more than we do.
P. krameri pecks up a crumb of ginger biscuit that Arthur has dropped on the table.
He eats it.
What's this? asks Katherine, seeing Terence's sunflower seed finger for the first time.
It broke, says Terence.
It looks as though it was sprouting, says Katherine. What happened? Did the parrot eat it?
Yes, says Terence.
Although the right answer is no.
Katherine's phone rings. It's Margaret.
Hello dear, says Katherine. Yes Gaius is fine with it, but he wants to go on the ferry. Arthur is bringing a clever mechanical bird. You'll adore it. Yes, he looks well.
Katherine ends the call and smiles benignly at Gaius.
I'm really just going for the cheese, says Katherine.
He is sitting at the kitchen table eating jam tarts and ginger biscuits.
Terence lifts Jinjing onto the table.
Jinjing inches closer to Arthur.
Yes, says Katherine, pouring the coffee, I do like Tasmania. And when Margaret expressed an interest in exploring the geology, I suggested....
What has this got to do with me? asks Gaius. Arthur and I will be looking for endangered birds.
We could share the expenses, says Katherine. Don't worry. We won't get in your hair. I shall tag along with Margaret as she searches for evidence that Tasmania was once part of Northern America.
Really? says Gaius. That hypothesis has escaped me.
It has escaped most of us, says Katherine. However there is plenty of evidence already. Ask Margaret, she'll fill you in.
No doubt she is full of it, says Gaius.
We were thinking of flying to Hobart, says Katherine.
That's unfortunate, says Gaius. We shall be taking the ferry.
Take the ferry, says Jinjing.
Arthur stops eating his biscuit.
Will you be coming? asks Arthur.
Wherever you go, says Jinjing. I love you.
What did he say? asks Terence.
I love you, says Arthur.
I know he loves me, says Terence.
P krameri is furious.
No one has asked him.
I might go with the ladies, says P. krameri.
But we need you, says Gaius.
Do you? says P. krameri.
You will be invaluable, says Gaius.
I would be invaluable to the ladies, says P. krameri.
You would be a conversation starter, says Katherine. But I'm sure Gaius needs you more than we do.
P. krameri pecks up a crumb of ginger biscuit that Arthur has dropped on the table.
He eats it.
What's this? asks Katherine, seeing Terence's sunflower seed finger for the first time.
It broke, says Terence.
It looks as though it was sprouting, says Katherine. What happened? Did the parrot eat it?
Yes, says Terence.
Although the right answer is no.
Katherine's phone rings. It's Margaret.
Hello dear, says Katherine. Yes Gaius is fine with it, but he wants to go on the ferry. Arthur is bringing a clever mechanical bird. You'll adore it. Yes, he looks well.
Katherine ends the call and smiles benignly at Gaius.
I'm really just going for the cheese, says Katherine.
Thursday, September 5, 2019
Don't Let Me Go
Arthur is waiting at the airport.
Arthur! says Gaius. You came to meet us! How kind!
It is kind. What's up with Arthur?
How was your trip? asks Arthur.
Not bad, says Gaius. We missed all the chaos in Hong Kong by a whisker.
What chaos? asks Arthur, who does not watch the news.
Everyone got sprayed BLUE by the police! says Terence. Even Mouldy!
So Mouldy didn't miss it, says Arthur. Where is he?
Not here, says Gaius We left him behind in Hong Kong.
I swapped him, says Terence.
He swapped himself, says Gaius. He's his own pebble, remember.
What did you swap him for? asks Arthur.
Jinjing, says Terence.
Hello! says P. krameri. I'm here as well!
Hello, says Arthur. Missing the Jardin des Plantes?
No. But thanks for asking, says P. krameri.
Jinjing can TALK, says Terence. You press this button.
He presses the button.
Missing the Jardin des Plantes? says Jinjing, in a parrot voice.
That's good, says Arthur. It repeats what you say.
Not always, says Gaius. We have noted it's rather more complex. It transposes pronouns, for example, and occasionally comes up with something completely new.
Let's see, says Arthur.
Terence gives Arthur Jinjing.
Jinjing looks into the blue eyes of Arthur.
Don't let me go, says Jinjing.
That's exactly the sort of thing I meant, says Gaius. No one has said don't let me go, and yet Jinjing comes out with it.
Arthur gives Jinging back to Terence.
Jinjing looks dejected. He determines to get back to Arthur as soon as he can.
Right, says P. krameri. Where are we going?
I've got Katherine's car, says Arthur. I'll drive you all back to Gaius's.
The royal treatment! says Gaius. I must say, it's good to be home.
Half an hour later, they pull up in the driveway of Gaius's house in the suburbs.
They all go inside.
Katherine is waiting in the kitchen. She puts on the kettle.
Katherine, says Gaius This is a surprise!
Arthur told me you're going to Tasmania, says Katherine.
A few things to do first, says Gaius.
Of course, says Katherine. But Margaret and I are also planning a trip to Tasmania, and wondered....
Gaius's heart sinks.
Then rises slightly.
Arthur will get him out of this pickle.
Arthur! says Gaius. You came to meet us! How kind!
It is kind. What's up with Arthur?
How was your trip? asks Arthur.
Not bad, says Gaius. We missed all the chaos in Hong Kong by a whisker.
What chaos? asks Arthur, who does not watch the news.
Everyone got sprayed BLUE by the police! says Terence. Even Mouldy!
So Mouldy didn't miss it, says Arthur. Where is he?
Not here, says Gaius We left him behind in Hong Kong.
I swapped him, says Terence.
He swapped himself, says Gaius. He's his own pebble, remember.
What did you swap him for? asks Arthur.
Jinjing, says Terence.
Hello! says P. krameri. I'm here as well!
Hello, says Arthur. Missing the Jardin des Plantes?
No. But thanks for asking, says P. krameri.
Jinjing can TALK, says Terence. You press this button.
He presses the button.
Missing the Jardin des Plantes? says Jinjing, in a parrot voice.
That's good, says Arthur. It repeats what you say.
Not always, says Gaius. We have noted it's rather more complex. It transposes pronouns, for example, and occasionally comes up with something completely new.
Let's see, says Arthur.
Terence gives Arthur Jinjing.
Jinjing looks into the blue eyes of Arthur.
Don't let me go, says Jinjing.
That's exactly the sort of thing I meant, says Gaius. No one has said don't let me go, and yet Jinjing comes out with it.
Arthur gives Jinging back to Terence.
Jinjing looks dejected. He determines to get back to Arthur as soon as he can.
Right, says P. krameri. Where are we going?
I've got Katherine's car, says Arthur. I'll drive you all back to Gaius's.
The royal treatment! says Gaius. I must say, it's good to be home.
Half an hour later, they pull up in the driveway of Gaius's house in the suburbs.
They all go inside.
Katherine is waiting in the kitchen. She puts on the kettle.
Katherine, says Gaius This is a surprise!
Arthur told me you're going to Tasmania, says Katherine.
A few things to do first, says Gaius.
Of course, says Katherine. But Margaret and I are also planning a trip to Tasmania, and wondered....
Gaius's heart sinks.
Then rises slightly.
Arthur will get him out of this pickle.
Wednesday, September 4, 2019
Border Confusion
The Cathay Pacific flight from Hong Kong to Adelaide has landed.
Home at last, says Gaius.
Home at last! says Terence.
Home at last! says Jinjing.
Not for me, says P. krameri. It's a foreign country.
You'll adapt, says Gaius. That is one of your traits.
One of his trays, says Jinjing.
Gaius stands up, and lifts his backpack down from the overhead locker.
This is goodbye then, says Bing Barton. Good luck in Tassie.
Thank you, says Gaius. I expect to be lucky. My trusted right hand man has agreed to come with me. He lives a charmed life.
That's me, says Terence.
It's not you. It's Arthur, says Gaius.
A charmed life is not one of your trays, says Jinjing.
You don't know, says Terence. Hey! What did you just say?
I don't know, says Jinjing. I'm a toy parrot.
Enjoy life with your toy parrot, smiles Bing, moving forward.
He said not one of your trays, says P. krameri. And I say, forget him. I'm the real parrot.
Parakeet, says Gaius, rummaging in his back pack for his phone.
Der! says P. krameri.
Der! says Jinjing. Where is my passport?
Here, says Gaius, showing him Mouldy's parrot passport.
They disembark from the plane.
......
At Border Security.
Border Security officer: Passport!
Gaius: Here is mine. Here is Terences's. And here is the parrot passport for our parakeet, P. krameri.
Border Security officer: All in order. Welcome to Adelaide. Go through. Next!
Terence: What about Jinjing?
Border Security: That's a toy parrot, little buddy.
Terence: But he has a parrot passport.
Border Security: He's not real. Go through. Next!
Terence: Jinjing has trays.
Border Security: Trays? What are we saying? Hey Kevin! Check out the insides of this toy parrot.
Kevin comes forward, with a knife.
He is about to rip open Jinjing.
Wah! says Terence. Don't cut him! He hasn't got trays!
What's this kerfuffle? says Gaius, turning.
Possible trays inside the toy parrot, says Kevin.
No, says Gaius. Just a button. Press it and see.
Kevin presses the button.
We all have our own trays, says Jinjing.
Indeed, says Gaius.
Show off! says Terence.
He means traits, says Gaius.
I know what traits are, says Kevin, crossly.
Go through.
Home at last, says Gaius.
Home at last! says Terence.
Home at last! says Jinjing.
Not for me, says P. krameri. It's a foreign country.
You'll adapt, says Gaius. That is one of your traits.
One of his trays, says Jinjing.
Gaius stands up, and lifts his backpack down from the overhead locker.
This is goodbye then, says Bing Barton. Good luck in Tassie.
Thank you, says Gaius. I expect to be lucky. My trusted right hand man has agreed to come with me. He lives a charmed life.
That's me, says Terence.
It's not you. It's Arthur, says Gaius.
A charmed life is not one of your trays, says Jinjing.
You don't know, says Terence. Hey! What did you just say?
I don't know, says Jinjing. I'm a toy parrot.
Enjoy life with your toy parrot, smiles Bing, moving forward.
He said not one of your trays, says P. krameri. And I say, forget him. I'm the real parrot.
Parakeet, says Gaius, rummaging in his back pack for his phone.
Der! says P. krameri.
Der! says Jinjing. Where is my passport?
Here, says Gaius, showing him Mouldy's parrot passport.
They disembark from the plane.
......
At Border Security.
Border Security officer: Passport!
Gaius: Here is mine. Here is Terences's. And here is the parrot passport for our parakeet, P. krameri.
Border Security officer: All in order. Welcome to Adelaide. Go through. Next!
Terence: What about Jinjing?
Border Security: That's a toy parrot, little buddy.
Terence: But he has a parrot passport.
Border Security: He's not real. Go through. Next!
Terence: Jinjing has trays.
Border Security: Trays? What are we saying? Hey Kevin! Check out the insides of this toy parrot.
Kevin comes forward, with a knife.
He is about to rip open Jinjing.
Wah! says Terence. Don't cut him! He hasn't got trays!
What's this kerfuffle? says Gaius, turning.
Possible trays inside the toy parrot, says Kevin.
No, says Gaius. Just a button. Press it and see.
Kevin presses the button.
We all have our own trays, says Jinjing.
Indeed, says Gaius.
Show off! says Terence.
He means traits, says Gaius.
I know what traits are, says Kevin, crossly.
Go through.
Tuesday, September 3, 2019
Acceptance Is Not Wise In A Tunnel
Mouldy sees a sign for the Sea Bridge.
Drive from Hong Kong to China. No need to fly. No need to paddle.
Too easy, says Mouldy.
He follows the signs.
A long line of cars waits at the start of the Sea Bridge.
Mouldy gets off his blue bike.
Another cyclist is standing nearby, with his bicycle.
The cyclist bends down to scratch his ankle.
And spots Mouldy.
Macau or Zhuhai? asks the cyclist.
Beijing, says Mouldy.
You have far to go, says the cyclist. Have you done this before?
No, says Mouldy. But I thought it looked easy.
The Sea Bridge is long, says the cyclist. Thirty four miles altogether. Some parts are bridge, some parts are tunnel. And you must change which side of the road you ride on, as you cross into China.
Thirty four miles, thinks Mouldy. That's nothing.
Also, adds the cyclist, the signs are confusing.
I have learned acceptance, says Mouldy.
Acceptance is not wise in a tunnel, says the cyclist. Or on a bridge for that matter. You can tag along with me if you like.
Thank you, says Mouldy. But I warn you, I'm fast on this bicycle.
You are tiny, says the cyclist. So it will all balance out.
The traffic starts moving.
Mouldy is on the Sea Bridge to China. First stop Macau.
What is your business in Beijing? asks the cyclist.
Meeting an old friend, says Mouldy. Long story, starting with me being swapped for a parrot.
The old friend's parrot? asks the cyclist.
No, a child's toy parrot, says Mouldy.
Bad swap, says the cyclist.
I agreed to it, says Mouldy. I crave adventure.
You obviously escaped. How does that sit with acceptance? asks the cyclist.
Separated, says Mouldy. Then sprayed with blue dye at the airport. Then arrested. Then saved, by a phone call.
Who did you call? The old friend? asks the cyclist.
Sikong Shu, says Mouldy. The Middle Tang poet.
I love Middle Tang poetry, says the cyclist. Parting at a wine shop in Nanjing/ a wind bringing willow cotton sweetens the shop/ and a girl from Wu, pouring wine, urges me to share it...
Nice one, says Mouldy. Evocative.
Yes, says the cyclist.
Night falls over the Sea Bridge,
the sparkling curve of the bridge
vanishes below the surface
of the dark waters
emerging like a glow worm
far off in the distance.
Drive from Hong Kong to China. No need to fly. No need to paddle.
Too easy, says Mouldy.
He follows the signs.
A long line of cars waits at the start of the Sea Bridge.
Mouldy gets off his blue bike.
Another cyclist is standing nearby, with his bicycle.
The cyclist bends down to scratch his ankle.
And spots Mouldy.
Macau or Zhuhai? asks the cyclist.
Beijing, says Mouldy.
You have far to go, says the cyclist. Have you done this before?
No, says Mouldy. But I thought it looked easy.
The Sea Bridge is long, says the cyclist. Thirty four miles altogether. Some parts are bridge, some parts are tunnel. And you must change which side of the road you ride on, as you cross into China.
Thirty four miles, thinks Mouldy. That's nothing.
Also, adds the cyclist, the signs are confusing.
I have learned acceptance, says Mouldy.
Acceptance is not wise in a tunnel, says the cyclist. Or on a bridge for that matter. You can tag along with me if you like.
Thank you, says Mouldy. But I warn you, I'm fast on this bicycle.
You are tiny, says the cyclist. So it will all balance out.
The traffic starts moving.
Mouldy is on the Sea Bridge to China. First stop Macau.
What is your business in Beijing? asks the cyclist.
Meeting an old friend, says Mouldy. Long story, starting with me being swapped for a parrot.
The old friend's parrot? asks the cyclist.
No, a child's toy parrot, says Mouldy.
Bad swap, says the cyclist.
I agreed to it, says Mouldy. I crave adventure.
You obviously escaped. How does that sit with acceptance? asks the cyclist.
Separated, says Mouldy. Then sprayed with blue dye at the airport. Then arrested. Then saved, by a phone call.
Who did you call? The old friend? asks the cyclist.
Sikong Shu, says Mouldy. The Middle Tang poet.
I love Middle Tang poetry, says the cyclist. Parting at a wine shop in Nanjing/ a wind bringing willow cotton sweetens the shop/ and a girl from Wu, pouring wine, urges me to share it...
Nice one, says Mouldy. Evocative.
Yes, says the cyclist.
Night falls over the Sea Bridge,
the sparkling curve of the bridge
vanishes below the surface
of the dark waters
emerging like a glow worm
far off in the distance.
Monday, September 2, 2019
Red Before This Happened
It is just as we feared.
Mouldy was sprayed with blue dye in Hong Kong and arrested.
It wasn't me! says Mouldy. I was just cycling through the airport.
The blue dye says otherwise, says the Hong Kong policeman. Blue dye equals guilty.
That's not fair, says Mouldy.
You have one phone call, says the Hong Kong policeman. Don't waste it.
Mouldy considers. Should he call Chen?
No. She is a little girl and should be protected.
Should he call Gaius?
No. Gaius will be in the air, out of reach.
Does he know anyone in Hong Kong? No. But he knows someone in China.
Sikong Shu, who returned to China with Ar-Lu-Lun, the new peacock spider.
Sikong Shu, says Mouldy. He lives in China.
What is his number? asks the Hong Kong policeman.
I don't know. But he's a famous Middle Tang poet, says Mouldy.
That Sikong Shu! says the Hong Kong policeman. Why didn't you say so?
I just said so, says Mouldy. Could you call him for me? He'll remember me falling into Lake Clifton and learning acceptance.
Is that so? says the Hong Kong policeman. After you've spoken to him, may I have a word?
Who would refuse a Hong Kong policeman?
The Hong Kong policeman searches for Sikong Shu's number and finds it quickly. He dials the number and hands Mouldy the phone.
Hello, says Sikong Shu, in China.
It's me, Mouldy, says Mouldy, in Hong Kong.
Is something amiss? asks Sikong Shu.
I'm in Hong Kong and I've just been arrested, says Mouldy.
Celestial crumpets! says Sikong Shu. What for?
Cycling though the airport and being sprayed blue, says Mouldy.
Ask if you can be expedited to China, says Sikong Shu, thinking quickly.
Okay, says Mouldy. Stay on the line. The Hong Kong policeman wants a word.
Certainly, says Sikong Shu. Put him on.
Master, says the Hong Kong policeman.
No, says Sikong Shu. This is Sikong Shu.
I have long admired you, says the Hong Kong policeman. And I was wondering if you would hear my humble poem.
Certainly, says Sikong Shu. Go ahead, I'm listening.
With no neighbour but the quiet night
Here I live in the same old cottage
And as raindrops brighten yellow leaves
The lamp illumines my white head.....
Stop, says Sikong Shu. I have heard it before.
Just checking, says the Hong Kong policeman. So, you really are the great Sikong Shu. Will you vouch for this pebble?
Certainly, says Shu. Although I knew him but briefly.
That's enough for me, says the Hong Kong policeman. He's now free to go.
Go where? asks Mouldy. I'm all alone here.
He says he's all alone here, says the Hong Kong policeman.
Tell him to come to me, says Sikong Shu. Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiching District, Beijing.
You are most fortunate, says the Hong Kong policeman, to Mouldy.
If you say so, says Mouldy.
He cycles away on his blue bicycle that was red before all this happened.
Mouldy was sprayed with blue dye in Hong Kong and arrested.
It wasn't me! says Mouldy. I was just cycling through the airport.
The blue dye says otherwise, says the Hong Kong policeman. Blue dye equals guilty.
That's not fair, says Mouldy.
You have one phone call, says the Hong Kong policeman. Don't waste it.
Mouldy considers. Should he call Chen?
No. She is a little girl and should be protected.
Should he call Gaius?
No. Gaius will be in the air, out of reach.
Does he know anyone in Hong Kong? No. But he knows someone in China.
Sikong Shu, who returned to China with Ar-Lu-Lun, the new peacock spider.
Sikong Shu, says Mouldy. He lives in China.
What is his number? asks the Hong Kong policeman.
I don't know. But he's a famous Middle Tang poet, says Mouldy.
That Sikong Shu! says the Hong Kong policeman. Why didn't you say so?
I just said so, says Mouldy. Could you call him for me? He'll remember me falling into Lake Clifton and learning acceptance.
Is that so? says the Hong Kong policeman. After you've spoken to him, may I have a word?
Who would refuse a Hong Kong policeman?
The Hong Kong policeman searches for Sikong Shu's number and finds it quickly. He dials the number and hands Mouldy the phone.
Hello, says Sikong Shu, in China.
It's me, Mouldy, says Mouldy, in Hong Kong.
Is something amiss? asks Sikong Shu.
I'm in Hong Kong and I've just been arrested, says Mouldy.
Celestial crumpets! says Sikong Shu. What for?
Cycling though the airport and being sprayed blue, says Mouldy.
Ask if you can be expedited to China, says Sikong Shu, thinking quickly.
Okay, says Mouldy. Stay on the line. The Hong Kong policeman wants a word.
Certainly, says Sikong Shu. Put him on.
Master, says the Hong Kong policeman.
No, says Sikong Shu. This is Sikong Shu.
I have long admired you, says the Hong Kong policeman. And I was wondering if you would hear my humble poem.
Certainly, says Sikong Shu. Go ahead, I'm listening.
With no neighbour but the quiet night
Here I live in the same old cottage
And as raindrops brighten yellow leaves
The lamp illumines my white head.....
Stop, says Sikong Shu. I have heard it before.
Just checking, says the Hong Kong policeman. So, you really are the great Sikong Shu. Will you vouch for this pebble?
Certainly, says Shu. Although I knew him but briefly.
That's enough for me, says the Hong Kong policeman. He's now free to go.
Go where? asks Mouldy. I'm all alone here.
He says he's all alone here, says the Hong Kong policeman.
Tell him to come to me, says Sikong Shu. Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiching District, Beijing.
You are most fortunate, says the Hong Kong policeman, to Mouldy.
If you say so, says Mouldy.
He cycles away on his blue bicycle that was red before all this happened.
Sunday, September 1, 2019
Who Is Not Blue And Who Isn't?
Cabin lights are dimmed.
Gaius turns on his overhead light to continue reading.
The forty-spot is similar to the spotted pardalote, reads Gaius, but duller in colour. Its wings are black with white tips that give the appearance of discrete white dots when folded.
I'm now reading about the dots, says Gaius, poking P. krameri.
Yes? says P. krameri. And how many are there?
It seems that the number is closer to sixty than forty, says Gaius.
Then why not call it the sixty spotted pardalote? says P. krameri.
Perhaps it's too much of a mouthful, says Gaius.
What's the difference? says P. krameri.
I was being jocular, says Gaius. The thing is, once a name is given, it's not easy to change it.
Hum, says P. krameri.
Bing Barton is watching the news on a small screen attached to the back of the seat in front of him.
We've had a lucky escape, says Bing Barton.
Trouble in Hong Kong? asks Gaius.
Yes, look, says Bing Barton. The airport is being targeted by the protesters again. It's chaos.
Dear me, says Gaius. I hope Mouldy is safe.
Mouldy likes danger, says Terence.
Then Mouldy should be.... jumping Jupiter! Is that Mouldy?
Gaius has seen something disturbing on Bing Barton's screen.
Terence cranes over.
That's not Mouldy. He's BLUE!
No, says Gaius. There is surely only one bicycle-riding pebble in Hong Kong.
Two! cries Terence. Mouldy and a blue one.
The police have been spraying the protesters with blue dye, says Bing Barton. That could explain it.
Blue dye? says Gaius. That is clever.
So you know that pebble? asks Bing Barton.
He's on my team! says Terence. He was the smart one.
The smart one, says Jinjing.
Not like YOU, says Terence.
Not like ME, says Jinjing, But who is not blue and who isn't?
Remarkable! Jinjing has not only switched a pronoun correctly, but added a sentence.
Who is not blue and who isn't? He's right! says Terence. Jinjing is smarter!
Who is not blue? says P. krameri. That refers to Jinjing. So far, so smart, But who isn't? It's the same question.
No need to be pedantic, says Gaius. We all know what Jinjing means.
Where did you get that toy parrot? asks Bing. It's a corker!
Jinjing doesn't know the word corker. But the tone is admiring.
He is pleased to be labelled a corker.
Gaius turns on his overhead light to continue reading.
The forty-spot is similar to the spotted pardalote, reads Gaius, but duller in colour. Its wings are black with white tips that give the appearance of discrete white dots when folded.
I'm now reading about the dots, says Gaius, poking P. krameri.
Yes? says P. krameri. And how many are there?
It seems that the number is closer to sixty than forty, says Gaius.
Then why not call it the sixty spotted pardalote? says P. krameri.
Perhaps it's too much of a mouthful, says Gaius.
What's the difference? says P. krameri.
I was being jocular, says Gaius. The thing is, once a name is given, it's not easy to change it.
Hum, says P. krameri.
Bing Barton is watching the news on a small screen attached to the back of the seat in front of him.
We've had a lucky escape, says Bing Barton.
Trouble in Hong Kong? asks Gaius.
Yes, look, says Bing Barton. The airport is being targeted by the protesters again. It's chaos.
Dear me, says Gaius. I hope Mouldy is safe.
Mouldy likes danger, says Terence.
Then Mouldy should be.... jumping Jupiter! Is that Mouldy?
Gaius has seen something disturbing on Bing Barton's screen.
Terence cranes over.
That's not Mouldy. He's BLUE!
No, says Gaius. There is surely only one bicycle-riding pebble in Hong Kong.
Two! cries Terence. Mouldy and a blue one.
The police have been spraying the protesters with blue dye, says Bing Barton. That could explain it.
Blue dye? says Gaius. That is clever.
So you know that pebble? asks Bing Barton.
He's on my team! says Terence. He was the smart one.
The smart one, says Jinjing.
Not like YOU, says Terence.
Not like ME, says Jinjing, But who is not blue and who isn't?
Remarkable! Jinjing has not only switched a pronoun correctly, but added a sentence.
Who is not blue and who isn't? He's right! says Terence. Jinjing is smarter!
Who is not blue? says P. krameri. That refers to Jinjing. So far, so smart, But who isn't? It's the same question.
No need to be pedantic, says Gaius. We all know what Jinjing means.
Where did you get that toy parrot? asks Bing. It's a corker!
Jinjing doesn't know the word corker. But the tone is admiring.
He is pleased to be labelled a corker.
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