Day 25 – The Shark Spotters

Transcript of Day 25 – The Shark Spotters

Day 25 – The Shark Spotters

On a scorching summer day at Adelaide's West Beach, lifeguards Alex and Jamie were ready for another day of drone patrol. Their job was to keep beachgoers in good hands(1) and safe from sharks, especially the notorious white pointers that frequented the area.

Alex glanced at Jamie, who was operating one of the drones.

“We haven’t seen a shark in donkey’s years(2).” Jamie said.

“Knock on wood(3), mate. Far out(4)! I hope you haven’t just jinxed it(5)!” chuckled Alex.

Jamie nodded, scanning the water on the screen. “Well, let’s hope today is another calm one. I’m feeling as rough as guts(6) after a bender last night with the boys.”

“You’ll be right(7), Jamie.” Alex replied. “But if you feel like you’re going to puke your guts up(8), don’t do it on me, okay?”

Jamie laughed, “No promises(9), mate.”

Suddenly, the drone’s camera picked up a shadow moving swiftly under the water. Jamie’s eyes widened. “Oh, you’ve gotta be kidding me(10)! Alex! Have a gander(11) at this!” Jamie held out the screen to Alex.

“Stone the crows(12)! That’s a white pointer!” Alex yelled with excitement and worry in his voice. “We need to get everyone out of the water ASAP(13)!”

They both sprang into action(14), alerting the lifeguards on the shore. Alex grabbed the megaphone.

“Attention! Attention! There’s been a shark sighting. Please leave the water immediately! I repeat. There’s been a shark sighting! Please, remain calm and head to the beach immediately!”

Families and swimmers beat a hasty retreat(15) and started moving towards the shore, some looking back nervously. A child nearby started crying, refusing to move. Jamie ran over, picking the child up. “It’ll be okay, mate. No need to cry your eyes out(16).” He reassured him. “Everything will be hunky dory(17).”

As people came out of the water and gathered on the beach, Jamie noticed a man still swimming beyond the surf, seemingly blissfully unaware of(18) the danger.

“Have a go at(19) old mate(20) still in the water, Alex!”, Jamie shouted as he pointed at the man. “Are his ears painted on(21)? Didn’t he hear the announcement?”

“Man, he’s a sitting duck(22) out there. We have to go get him. I’ll grab the jet ski,” Alex said, rushing off.

The lifeguards worked swiftly, Alex riding the jet ski towards the man as Jamie tracked the shark on the drone. When Alex reached him, he shouted, “Mate, are you hard of hearing(23)?”

“No, why?” asked the swimmer.

“Didn’t you hear the announcement?” Alex asked with frustration in his voice. “You’re playing with fire(24) if you stay out here. There’s a shark in the water.”

The swimmer looked confused, “Oh, I just brushed it off(25) as a prank or something. Are you for real(26)?”

“Yes, I’m for real. No one’s pulling your leg(27).” Alex replied. “There’s a white pointer in the water! I need to get you back to shore.”

The swimmer started to panic and lose his cool(28) as he swam frantically towards the jet ski and clambered onboard.

“Alright, mate, you need to get a grip(29) and keep it together(30). Hold onto the jet ski and I’ll get you to safety31!” Alex said reassuringly.

Back on shore, Jamie watched the drone feed like a hawk(32), watching the shark arrive where the swimmer had been and then turn and continue hot on the trail of(33) the jet ski.

“Come on, Alex. Come on! Get your arses out of there(34)!” Jamie said to himself as he watched the shark closing the distance(35) on Alex and the swimmer.

Just ask the pair reached the shallows, the shark abruptly turned tail(36) and swam back to deeper water. The jet ski came to a stop(37) on the wet sand and the two jumped off, happy to be back on dry land(38). They were all visibly shaken, but no worse for wear(39).

“Thanks, mate. I owe you one(40),” the man said, catching his breath as he walked up the beach.

“It’s all part of the job(41),” Alex replied. “Bloody hell(42), Jamie! Why’d you have to tempt fate(43) earlier this morning, mate?!”

“Yeah, my bad(44), mate.” Jamie said sheepishly.

With everyone out of harm’s way45, Alex let out a sigh of relief(46). “It’s all good(47). It was a close one(48), but we did it.”

“Yeah,” Jamie agreed. “Just another day at the office(49), hey?”

“Bloody oath!(50)” Alex chuckled.

“What do you say we go and sink a few(51) at the pub in celebration?” Jamie suggested.

“I thought you were in a bad way(52) with your hangover?” Alex asked looking a little taken aback(53).

“Yeah, well, hair of the dog(54) should fix that, right?” Jamie laughed.

“Sounds like a plan(55) then.” Alex said with a smile “But it’s your shout(56)!” he continued as he threw his arm around Jamie’s shoulders.