61. GOD KNOWS, BROWN NOSE

No need to ask who stood before him.

59. DON’T LIKE THAT? LIKE THIS?

Archy Carson called a halt to further questions and the CNN Stream feed switched from Melbourne to Manhatton. The Big Mac was making his way to the pedestal. It was heavy going. He had to embrace and shake hands with a crush of immaculately presented men and women, each as delighted and astonished as himself.

58. WE’RE WORLD FED

Soothing Blue. That’s the name of the business-confidence suit McGuire fastened around himself to cement his public face. As he clicked the outer door closed a copter landed on his lawn. His PA, Tony, lunged gasping from it and scrambled towards him. Unusual.

53. EVES

Scene 4 – Tears In The Toilet

Wednesday afternoon, March 20th 2030. Park Hyatt hotel, Melbourne CBD.

25. PAT-A-CAKE

After the burial, more food and drink was provided, people finalized their mingling and went home.

 

Back at the Jackson’s, Sholeh suggested to Layla that she should come along to the David Hofman lecture at Melbourne Uni in the city that night. Everyone was going. It would be a great Baha’i night out in memory of Tahirih. And her cousin would drive them. And as her parents were staying the night why not?

 

[Layla]:

“Aaahhhh , you are scouting for suitors Sholes and you want reinforcement. I’m feeling a little down to go out tonight. It’s too soon.”

23. GLEN IRIS

Later that evening, packed and powdered, the five Parkins solemnly set off down an ethereal and restraining Western Highway. At 7PM it was still very, very hot. The air conditioning was blowing as strongly as it could and was a cold, monotone distraction for the pondering passengers.

7. DO THE TRAM, DO THE TRAM

[Mike, the machine technician]:

“Alright then, you’ve seen a nice introductory Melbourne Uni scene. What would you like next? Go on, give it a roll.”

 

[Guest]:

“Really? I know. Do the tram, do the tram.”

1. LAAAAAAYYYYLAA

Hello there! Great you could make it. I’m very, very happy to see you.

 

Please, please, come and sit down. Yes, right here beside me. Make yourself comfortable. It starts in a minute.

 

Right now, stop thinking, stop everything. This is going to be the most amazing and incredible experience you are ever likely to have. Believe me it will exceed anything you can possibly imagine. Yes.