So Like A Flute It's Not Funny

The eel stew tastes okay, except for the eels, which are rubbery.

Well done Shu, says Vello. Very tasty.

It was the onion, says Shu.

And a certain metallic piquancy, says Vello.

Arthur thinks so as well.

What does Sweezus think?

He is chewing methodically. He looks like his head's in the clouds.

What's up? says Arthur.

I think I've got a sixth sense, says Sweezus.

Spit it out, says Vello.

Sweezus stops chewing.

Yeah but.... what's it telling me? says Sweezus.

If you have to ask that, you haven't got a sixth sense, observes Ssü-K'ung Shu.

No, I've got SOMETHING, says Sweezus. It's an image.

From beyond, says Arthur. What's the message?

Krishna as a baby, with a flute and a peacock crown, says Sweezus.

Obviously, says Vello, something has happened to Terence. You should call Gaius.

You reckon? says Sweezus. How'd you figure that?

Baby, says Vello. You saw a baby. Terence is a baby. Not a real baby. And neither is Krishna.

The logic is convincing. The flute and the peacock crown may be redundant.

Okay, says Sweezus. I'm doing it.

He calls Gaius.

Gaius: Hello?

Sweezus: Gaius! Has anything happened to Terence?

Gaius: Not that I know of.

Sweezus: Where is he?

Gaius: Practising scales on Louisa's trumpet. Perhaps you can hear him?

( Parp-pee-PARP. Wark wark!)

Sweezus: Yeah I can. What's that other sound?

Gaius: His feral peacock. Of course Terence calls it a parrot. It's doomed unfortunately.

Sweezus: Doomed? Does Terence know? Hey wait, did you say a peacock?

Gaius: Yes, a peacock. Terence will know soon enough. No need to upset him this evening. How is the surfing? How's Arthur?

Sweezus: Killer waves, and Arthur got a shark bite.

Gaius: A shark bite! Great Neptune's fishballs! Is he all right?

Sweezus: Yeah, he's okay. We're eating eel stew now and chillin'....

Gaius: Ah. Eel Stew. The very best thing. Shall we be seeing you tomorrow?

Sweezus: Yeah, yeah, you will.

The call ends.

Well? says Vello.

Heavy, says Sweezus. Freakin' big-time mega heavy. I feel like .....woah....that was heaps weird.

I heard you mention a peacock? says Vello.

Peacock, yeah, and a trumpet, says Sweezus. Man, that's so like a flute it's not funny.