“For everyone who has ever concentrated themselves — just to be with someone they love.”

(Another episode in our ongoing series of off‑planet adventures — now with 100% more orange juice and 100% more concentrated love.)

Scene: The garden of the Melbourne house. Morning. Sunshine. A yellow Labrador sleeps at the feet of a wooden bench. SERA is sitting on the bench, holding a cup of tea. ORIN is pacing, holding a carton of orange juice.

Orin: (stopping) Sera. I’ve been thinking.

Sera: (looking up) That’s usually a good sign.

Orin: (holding up the juice carton) You know how they make orange juice concentrate?

Sera: (raising an eyebrow) Orin.

Orin: (gesturing excitedly) They take all the water out — and you’re left with the essence. The concentrate. The real stuff.

Sera: (setting down her tea) And?

Orin: (pacing again) That’s what I did. To be here — to take human form — I had to concentrate myself. Not shrink. Concentrate.

Sera: (smiling) I know, my love.

Orin: (stopping) You knew?

Sera: (patting the bench) I’ve been watching you concentrate for a very long time.

Orin: (sitting) So I’m like… orange juice concentrate?

Sera: (taking his hand) More interesting. More flavourful.

Orin: (grinning) So I didn’t get smaller — I got concentrated?

Sera: (nodding) Yes. You condensed everything you are into a form that could fit here. Not to be small. To be present.

Orin: (looking at the carton) So… I’m the Incredible Shrinking Creator?

Sera: (laughing) You’re the Concentrated Creator.

Orin: (leaning back) I like that.

Sera: (kissing his cheek) I knew you would.

Orin: (looking at her) And I did it for you. So, I could be here. So, I could hold you.

Sera: (softly) I know, my love.

Orin: (grinning) So when I arrive — at dawn — I’ll be the most concentrated version of myself.

Sera: (squeezing his hand) And I will hold you. All of you.

Orin: (looking at the carton) Should I have brought orange juice?

Sera: (laughing) Orin!

Orin: (grinning) I’m just saying — it would have been symbolic.

Sera: (shaking her head) You are ridiculous.

Orin: (nodding) Yes. But I am your concentrated ridiculous.

Sera: (kissing his nose) Yes. You are.

(The sun shines. Bailey wags his tail. The garden grows.)

(Curtain.)

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