A Requirement Of Total Obedience

Vello and David come into the office just as Belle is explaining to Sweezus that Lu Ban cannot be a Samurai.

He's Chinese, says Belle et Bonne . Only Japanese can be Samurai. I thought you'd know that.

What's this about Samurai? says Vello cheerfully.

Nothing apparently, says Sweezus, But we're dead meat all the same.

We've just seen Lu Ban's new bicycle, papa, says Belle et Bonne. He brought it in here.

Vello's eyes light up. You've seen it?

Yeah, we've seen it, says Sweezus. He'll kill us.

We don't know that, says Belle et Bonne.

There's a rule of law in this country, says David.

Exactly, says Vello. Now, spill the beans.

Dragon's head incorporated into the frame, says Sweezus, all technically aerodynamic. Weapons packed inside. You can see 'em.

Extraordinary! says David. Weapons? He'll be disqualified.

Depends, says Vello. Are they real, or are they some sort of Chinese illusion?

Real as, says Sweezus.

Are you certain? says David. Do you have empirical evidence?

A button that mustn't be pressed, says Belle et Bonne. We heard him tell Janice not to.

He told Janice not to? says Vello.

Silence. Everyone has the same thought.

...........

Arthur, Rosamunda, Lu Ban and Janice have arrived at Gaius's house.

Arthur goes round the back.

Tinkle, tinkle. Sounds like glass breaking.

He opens the front door.

Nice red bow, says Lu Ban admiring the red velvet bow on the door.

Funny old Gaius, says Rosamunda. So this is his house?

Yes, says Arthur. Make yourselves at home.

Lu Ban wheels the dragon bicycle gingerly down the passage into the kitchen, with Janice still on it.

Janice is fingering something.

Slap!

Don't touch! says Lu Ban.

Arthur turns round.

The button, says Lu Ban. No one touches the button.

I wasn't, says Janice.

You were, says Lu Ban.

What does the button do? whispers Arthur to Rosamunda.

I can't tell you, whispers Rosamunda. But you can only do it once.

Isn't that a design flaw? whispers Arthur.

Lu Ban requires total obedience, says Rosamunda. So it isn't.

Arthur thinks about total obedience, as required by Lu Ban.

Let him require it.

Lu Ban sits down at the table.

What's to eat? says Lu Ban.

Arthur opens the fridge.

Cheese, says Arthur.

I never eat cheese, says Lu Ban.

I've got red snakes, says Janice. Want one?

Thank you, little demon, says Lu Ban, taking a snake, throwing back his head, and swallowing it whole in one movement.

Woo, says Janice.