Arthur Shappey is singing, again and Martin Crieff is not happy.

"What's the life of a man anymore than a sheep? / Life has its seasons, so why should there be grief?"

"Douglas?!" Martin shouts, interrupting Arthur. "Did you let Arthur listen to your Bellowhead CDs again?"

"It seems I may have done, yes."

"I keep telling you, the lyrics are not appropriate for someone of Arthur's age..."

"He is thirty years old, Martin."

"Well, yes..." he splutters and hesitates, "For someone, like Arthur. I mean, he's Arthur."

"That he is, how very astute of you."


A silence travelled around the cabin, before Martin, who had listened to all of Douglas' Bellowhead CDs before, noticed what was wrong.

"Isn't it leaf?"

Douglas was confused by this enquiry, "I'm sorry?"

"The song, it goes 'What's the life of a man anymore than a leaf', not sheep."

Arthur grinned, "I know, Skip. But, you see, Herc's popping round for a visit. So I thought it would be fun if I changed the words to sheep."

"Well then, if Herc's coming round, why not play a little game." Martin groaned, and Arthur squealed in excitement. "Every sentence we say to Carolyn has to be a quote from TV or film."

The other two agree to play, and the crew stay silent in thought until Caroline finally walks in.


Douglas leaps at the chance to start the game off.

"Don't move! You're surrounded by armed... idiots."

Carolyn sighs, "Yes, well if by armed, you mean you have arms then you are indeed very correct with that statement, Douglas." She glances at Arthur, surprised that he hasn't said anything to her yet. "Hello Arthur."

He grins back, "Hello sweetie, urm... I mean Mum."

Carolyn folds her arms, she knows by now that this is another game. "Martin, do you have anything to say to me?"

"You're a wizard, Carolyn!"

Douglas groans. Carolyn steps forward into the cabin and Herc moves into the doorway.

"A wizard is never late, nor early, she arrives precisely when she means to."


Douglas starts clapping slowly, and Herc looks increasingly worried.

"Excuse me Carolyn. What exactly is going on here?"

Carolyn interjects, "Just ignore them, Herc, please."

Herc raised his voice slightly. "What's this talk of wizardry?"

"I shouldn't have gotten involved with their silly game."

He was now going a bit red in the face. "Are you discussing magic?"

"As I said, it's just a game."

Arthur glanced at Martin, "Look what you've done now, Skip."

Hercules Shipwright takes a deep breath. "I pride myself as a fair and just king, but for the crime of sorcery there is but one sentence I can pass." He raises his hand slowly and then smiles. "I think I win."