For The Magnificence

Morning, outside the large house.

Pedro Vicente Maldonado waits for a taxi, by the fountain.

Gaius comes out.

Good morning! Nice early start? says Gaius.

Yes, says Pedro. Have you seen the children?

Not this morning, says Gaius. Perhaps they're farewelling the frogs.

They should be out here, says Pedro. What's that you've got there, moving about in your pocket?

A prodigy! says Gaius. Remember the tadpoles that died?

No, says Pedro Vicente Maldonado. Some died, did they? So much for the pool salt.

Ah yes, but this one survived! says Gaius.

He whips the giant baby marsupial frog from his shorts pocket. Holds it up before the startled eyes of Pedro Vicente Maldonado.

The giant baby frog stares back.

O why is Life so confusing?

I was going to ask if you had a suitable container, says Gaius. But I see you are waiting outside, probably for a taxi.

I am, says Pedro, but go to the kitchen. There's bound to be something.

Gaius goes back inside.

Sweezus comes out.

Hi Pedro, says Sweezus. Can I ask you a question?

Certainly, says Pedro.

Climbing Chimborazo, says Sweezus. Why do they start off at night?

In order to reach the summit at sunrise, says Pedro Vicente Maldonado. For the magnificence.

Awesome, says Sweezus. Any idea what we should take?

Equipment? says Pedro. You may borrow anything of mine that you find in the store room. I've done a great deal of climbing. May I suggest you hire a guide though?

Guide? How much? asks Sweezus.

About $350, says Pedro. For that price you get a meal, accommodation and a taxi three quarters of the way up. I'll give you a few names if you like.

Cool, says Sweezus. Is there any of the guys who'd take Sea Salt in lieu?

Fools you mean? says Pedro. I should think not. But say you know me. You'll get a discount.

Where's the store room? asks Sweezus.

Off the kitchen, says Pedro.

Sweezus goes back inside.

Mariposa comes out, wheeling her trunkie, followed by Pescado.

Terence won't get inside, says Mariposa.

I'm not that sort of equipment, says Terence.

What? says Pedro.

He agreed, says Mariposa.

Only to be CALLED equipment, says Terence. I'm not travelling in a case with girl's undies.

He's being stupid, says Mariposa. Cherry's much smarter.

Yes, says Pescado. She's in my trunkie, doing a geometry puzzle in her head.

She'll get it wrong, says Terence. Anyway what sort of equipment is she?

No sort, says Pescado. It's just a more flattering description than toy.

The taxi arrives.

Get in, says Pedro. I'll just pop back to give Gaius the key.

He goes inside, to the kitchen.

Gaius is poking holes in the top of a plastic reheatable food container with a skewer.

The giant baby frog is hopping madly inside, avoiding the skewer.

Sweezus comes out of the store room with red waterproofs, an ice pick, crampons. and coiled ropes.

Key, says Pedro. Please lock up when you leave. By the way, what's the best way to handle Terence?

Two ways, says Sweezus. You can play Grandpa Marx or Saint Joseph.

Ha ha very good! laughs Gaius. Do you understand, Pedro? He means carrot and stick.

Carrot and stick? Perhaps it's not the same in Ecuadorian.

Philosophy or the adze, explains Gaius.