December Boys Page #5

My real name's Vernon.

You know,

Africa is just over there.

Vernon, do you remember

your parents?

I think I do...

...but maybe it was a photo.

My dad was tall and tan.

And my mother

had long, dark hair.

She was smiling.

They died in a car accident.

I don't know why I wasn't there.

Nobody ever told me.

If my parents were still alive,

I'd never let them out of my sight.

What's he doing?

That's Socrates.

Shellback says he catches fish

and feeds them to the cats.

Have you seen him do it?

No, but I believe

a lot of things I can't see.

Me too.

You ever think about

running away?

There's no place to run.

When I get 18,

they make you leave anyway.

Like music?

So, what do you do

for fun out there?

When it floods,

we can swim or go fishing.

We have a footy team and a choir.

Can you sing?

Not really.

Try singing this.

I'm no good.

Give it a go

and I'll give you a prize.

Listen.

What'd you think?

That was good.

That was your first kiss, I bet.

I can teach you if you want.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying

I'm a better rider than Fearless.

All I'm saying is that

what he does ain't as hard as it looks.

You're full of it.

You've never ridden a bike in your life.

It's all right to be jealous, Misty,

my little mate.

Me and Fearless have something

in common that you'll never have.

Hey, what was that for?

Get back here.

Get you later, you little mongrel.

We've come to tell you, Vernon...

...you're to be adopted.

You can stay here

as long as you like.

And now for some

excellent cartwheels.

He's not good for much, but at least

my uncle can make decent grog.

Who do you think they'll choose?

I don't know.

Spit's clever.

He can fix most anything.

Misty's the youngest,

and he's a good artist.

And Spark's got good energy.

He's the fastest, wins all the races.

What about you? Aren't you good

at anything? I know it's not singing.

Well, I don't wanna be adopted.

What's the big deal

about parents anyway?

Where have you been?

I think Skipper's dead.

What do you mean dead?

Well, lads...

...the skipper's...

...a bit under the weather tonight...

...so I suppose it'll be

bread and jam for tea.

Anyway, as the next

highest-ranking officer...

...she has asked me to carry on.

I think it's appropriate...

...and not out of place...

...to give you your Christmas gifts

tonight.

- Any objections?

- No.

Right, good show.

- Merry Christmas.

- Thanks, Bandy.

- Merry Christmas.

- Merry Christmas, Bandy.

- Merry Christmas.

- Merry Christmas.

- And merry Christmas.

- Thanks, Bandy. Merry Christmas.

What is it?

Well, I don't suppose

you've seen one of these...

...but every ship has one.

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