The riders stream out of Albertville.
All hoping to stay out of trouble.
Marx finds himself beside Gaius.
A nervous day for the climbers, observes Marx.
Not at all, says Gaius. As long as we stay out of trouble.
Marx didn't know Gaius fancied himself a climber.
He smirks in Gaius's general direction.
Gaius doesn't notice.
Terence said a funny thing to me yesterday, says Marx.
Funny little chap,Terence, says Gaius. What did he say?
You think you're in it, when you're not in it, says Marx. I thought about it all day.
That's why you did badly in the time trial, says Gaius. You needed to focus.
You didn't do too well yourself, says Marx.
Not for want of trying, says Gaius, zooming off into an early breakaway.
Froome pedals up behind Marx.
Your grandson is a bright little fellow, says Froome.
What are you talking about? snaps Marx.
He doesn't like Froomey.
Terence, says Froome. I had the pleasure of looking after him yesterday.
Damn that parrot, says Marx. Never trust a parrot.
Froomey's team mates ride up and engulf him.
Marx catches up with Vello and David.
Seen the parrot? asks Marx.
David looks upwards.
Magnificent mountains, says David. But no....
There she is! cries Vello.
The parrot is flying above them, following the road.
What's she up to? mutters Marx. Why isn't she minding young Terence?
Terence is on a bus tour of the Savoie, says Vello. Belle booked him on it.
Marx is surprised. A bus tour?
Flying above the riders, the Elegant Parrot enjoys a helicopter's eye panorama.
The sharp Alps are spread out all around her. A blue lake lies placidly below.
She tries to see herself in it. Is that me? Or another?
She thinks of the slim and beautiful dove. She thinks of the golden eagle.
She's keeping an eye out.
The clouds gather. Rain increases.
The road becomes slippery.
Way down there, the Elegant Parrot can see Arthur and Pablo, munching on something.
They don't seem to be trying too hard.
She continues observing. Oh dear, poor Tom Dumoulin has crashed, and injured his wrist.
Good gracious. Now Rolland is down.
Porte is involved in a crash that takes Reichenbach to the ground.
And now Froome and Nibali have skidded on the paint, and are sliding all over the roadway.
Well, she doesn't care, really.
But it's wet now. There's Buckley's chance of meeting a fast, hot, majestic and skinny golden eagle in this downpour.
She leaves the course and flies over the mountains until she sees a tour bus.
Ah. That'll be Terence's.
She swoops down and peers into one of the windows.
Most of the passengers are bandaged, and all (except Terence) are clowns.
No doubt he's in his element.
She flies back to Saint-Gervais in time to see Romain Bardet win Stage 19 for France.
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