'It won't take long,' Norma explained.
Captain Bill glanced at Norma.
'Look,' Norma continued, 'I'll admit that Horace's 'breakthrough' wasn't quite what I expected it to be but poetry is still, even in out present circumstances, a very worthwhile pursuit.'
'I was inspired by our current situation,' Horace added.
'It's going to be depressing isn't it,' said Captain Bill.
'In his defense not everything that Horace writes is depressing,' Norma replied, 'and I think it would be wrong to prejudge.'
'I can't remember the last time he wrote something with a punchline,' Captain Bill replied.
Norma mouthed the words 'just listen' and with a wave of his tail Captain Bill gestured to Horace that he should begin.
'Stranded!'
'Right, must be going,' said Captain Bill.
'But....' Horace mooed.
'Sorry,' Captain Bill replied, 'I wish I could stay for more, clearly it's a masterpiece but duty calls.'
And he turned to leave.
'So what are you going off to do?' Horace asked.
'Errrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrmmmmmmmmmm,' said Captain Bill, 'I've got...to....go................and measure the seaweed.'
'Why?' Horace asked.
'It'sssssssssssssssssss something that your taught to do,' Captain Bill replied, 'at Captain school....when you're stranded on a sand bar.......when your island has disappeared.'
'Really?' said Norma. 'You've never mentioned that before.'
'That's because it's never happened before,' Captain Bill replied, 'but it goes to show how thorough the training is, which is why they only take the best, but it's of critical importance that I get it measured.'
'Well, if it's critical,' said Horace, 'I'd best come with you.'
'...............................................................................................Great!' Captain Bill replied.
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