Propulsive narrative

On the bus into the CBD, a stranger told me all about car engines. He was an expert on the subject - how they varied between model and year, the pros and cons of different configurations, and where to source parts cheaply. No word of a lie, our conversation was interrupted at one point when a mechanic phoned him seeking guidance on a tricky job.

At the museum, after I'd purchased a ticket for a temporary exhibition on miniature models, the staffer urged me to also check out a new preso celebrating the city's famous surfing competition. I'm glad she did! While mainly info panels, with only a few "artifacts", it filled me with nostalgia...and a hint of regret. The latter for failing to appreciate the world-beating event when I was young.

At a boho boutique, I found a potential present, baulked at the price, left.

Lunch was next. "This looks great, thanks," I said when my food arrived. "Well, you're welcome to order more," joked the waitress. But it was filling and there was no need for a second serving.

Returned to the boutique. The boss lady had just rearranged things - including moving the item that'd caught my eye to the opposite side of the store - and apologised for any confusion. I told her I thought I'd slipped into an alternate reality. She said, "You wouldn't be the first one of my customers to do that." Yeah, it's a bit of a hippie-trippy suburb.

After a relaxing stroll around the embiggened art gallery, it was time to hit its new gift shop. The desk was unattended for a while, then the cashier rushed in, explaining her absence had been due to "doing some side quests". Could gaming - and gaming lingo - be any more mainstream?

My final destination before hopping a homeward bus was the bookstore. Couldn't resist Terry Jones' illustrated storybook "The Saga Of Erik The Viking" at a 50% markdown. "I want to see how it compares to the film," I remarked to the chap at the counter. He had no idea there *was* a film and pressed me for details. I racked my brain to recall the 1989 production. He might have received a more comprehensive answer if he'd asked me about car engines.