SPEAKER:

(Animatedly) Welcome, everyone, to the fourth annual Skywatcher's Convention. We are pleased to be here in this superb venue and this year we welcome some new members to our community. Don't forget to give a big Skywatcher's 'hi-de-ho' to Bill Peterson and Pamela Jacobs (Substitute names of audience members). Could you just stand up, Bill and Pam? That's right, there they are. (Bill and Pam stand) Thankyou, thankyou. (Bill and Pam sit down) Let's launch right into this morning's proceedings, why don't we? You all know the deal. We'll meet back here in half an hour for the key-note address.  Which, (Speaker and group momentarily looks sad and serious) in the absence of our dear departed leader and founder, will be given by the eminent Professor of Celestial Studies, Dr Bill Hayley. (Speaker moves microphone and rostrum off stage or to one side as the group disperse and exit as directed, except for two who move to stage centre looking around)

ELLEN:

(Pointing to ground) How about there?

JAMES:

No, the grass looks a bit too wet.

ELLEN:

Didn't you bring the rug? I told you to bring the rug!

JAMES:

I know, I'm sorry, it looks like we'll just have to be spontaneous.

ELLEN:

(Unhappy) You remember what happened last time we were spontaneous!

JAMES:

Yes, yes . . . I don't want to talk about it . . . what about here?

ELLEN:

(Sitting on floor) You know, it's not the same without him.

JAMES:

(Sitting down beside her) I can't believe he's gone! I can't believe he's dead!

ELLEN:

(Both lie down looking at ceiling) Nothing makes sense any more.

JAMES:

(Pointing to sky) Hey, look at that one.

ELLEN:

What, that big dragon?

JAMES:

It's not a dragon, it's an old woman pushing her shopping trolley.

ELLEN:

(Pointing) What, that big one there with the bit hanging off the end?

JAMES:

Yes, yes, that's right. The bit on the end is the gammy wheel of the trolley.

ELLEN:

You can't be serious!

JAMES:

No, it is. Look (Pointing) there's her head and her back all hunched from years of unappreciated and unthanked toil. That big blob there is her shapeless clothing and, well, admittedly her arms are rather long, but there's the trolley, no mistake! (A man walks in and stands watching them, rather bemused)

ELLEN:

Ah . . . (Rotates her head) Nup, I'm afraid I can't see it. What you call a trolley is the dragon's tail and his neck arches around and you can see his flared nostrils.

JAMES:

(Frustrated) I don't understand why this happens. I don't understand.

ELLEN:

No, I'm sure it's a dragon. (Pause while they gaze upwards)

MAN:

They're clouds. Wait a moment and they'll change with the wind. They won't stay the same . . . they're clouds. (Walks off stage)

JAMES:

Yes, you're right . . . yes . . . (Sitting up) Hey, Ellen . . .

ELLEN:

Yes, I heard . . . they change . . . but they go on . . . It all makes sense

. . . (Sitting up, looking around) Hey, he's gone!

JAMES:

(Looking around) What? But we just understood everything!

BOTH:

(Getting the same idea) It must've been . . .

ELLEN:

(Standing up) We have to go and tell the others.

JAMES:

(Standing up) Boy, won't they be surprised at this! (Both exit)