Not A Noticing Person

So Bowl was replaced by another, says the Spanish policeman.

Yes, says Prong.

Another toy bear, pursues the policeman.

Yes, says Prong. 

Where was he before he was replaced? asks the policeman.

In the bowl of the Virgin, says Prong.

I hope you're not pulling my leg, says the policeman.

No way, says Prong. 

Whose idea was this replacement? asks the policeman.

Terence's, says Prong. 

And why .... the policeman stops, because it is obvious.

HE was the original infant! says the policeman.

That was a long time ago, says Prong. 

How long? asks the policeman.

I don't know exactly, says Prong. But Bowl was his replacement for years.

And Terence decided it had been long enough, says the policeman.

Yes, says Prong. So we planned to rescue Bowl, but we couldn't leave the Virgin's bowl empty.

So you brought a replacement, says the policeman.

Yes, says Prong. 

Didn't you think she would notice? asks the policeman.

No, says Prong. She isn't a noticing person.

I'm sure she is, says the policeman.

Terence says that she isn't, says Prong. 

Perhaps she only notices certain things, says the policeman.

Perhaps, agrees Prong. 

Well, I've learned all I need to know now, says the policeman. You're free to go. 

Thank you, officer, says Prong.

Tell your friends not to leave Barcelona, says the policeman. 

Ever? says Prong.

 For a day or two, says the policeman. I need to do some more checking.

Okay, says Prong.

She leaves the police station and flies back to the café.

She heads for the corner table.

To find that the others have gone.

Bowl Is The One

The Spanish policeman takes Prong to the comisaria de policia nearby.

He leads her into a room, with a chair and a table.

Wait here, says the policeman.

He goes out and comes back again, with a notebook.

Prong is perched on the table.

Now, says the policeman, first question, what is your name?

Prong, answers Prong.

And what is your country of origin? asks the policeman. 

Australia, says Prong.

And why do your friends claim you don't need a passport?

Maybe they lost it, says Prong.

So you do have one, says the policeman.

I did have one, says Prong. But it may not work now.

Out of date? asks the policeman.

No curly whiskers, says Prong.

Meaning? asks the policeman.

My passport photo has curly whiskers, says Prong.

Parrots don't have curly whiskers, says the policeman.

I know, says Prong. Terence lost mine

They were detachable? asks the policeman.

Yes, says Prong.

All right, says the policeman. That need not be a problem. You can get a new passport. Next question: What is the mission you spoke of?

I shouldn't have spoken of it, says Prong.

But you did, says the policeman. And now I'm following it up.

Okay, says Prong. But it's a long story.

A short version will do, says the policeman.

And it's a secret, says Prong. 

Is it to do with the Sagrada Familia? asks the policeman.

It might be, says Prong.

Because that's where you first came to our attention, says the policeman.

Okay, says Prong. I was the one who did the replacement.

Now we're getting somewhere, says the policeman. What replacement?

A bear with a bear, says Prong.

The Fuzzballs? asks the policeman.

One of them, says Prong. The other one was part of a two-for-one purchase.

Wait a minute, says the policeman.

He starts writing in his police notebook:

Bear for bear. Two-for-one purchase. Why two?

Prong sees what he is writing.

Toyshop has nothing to do with it, says Prong. Bowl is the one.

These are code names for the Fuzzballs? asks the policeman.

Yes, says Prong.

The policeman writes down the two code names. 

Followed by: Bowl is the one

He is in a position to crack the case now.

He can sense it.

A Grilled Parrot

Very nice, says the Spanish policeman, having finished the pie.

Would you care for another? asks Simone.

No, gracias, I'll be going, says the policeman. 

You're a good policeman, says Terence.

The policeman heads for the door.

How come you think that? asks Sweezus.

He ate the pie, says Terence. 

Yes, says Simone. And he said it was delicious.

He said it was nice, says Sartre.

Who else would like one? asks Simone.

Federico takes one.

He takes a tentative bite.

Not bad, says Federico.

The Spanish policeman returns to the corner table.

Now what? says Sartre.

The parrot, says the policeman. Where is it?

Prong is perched on a low stool, out of sight.

She didn't do anything, says Terence.

I need to know where she came from, says the policeman.

Outside, says Terence.

Before that, says the policeman.

Before that, says Arthur, she came here on the train from Paris.

So she's a French parrot? says the policeman.

Why does this matter? asks Sartre.

I have reason to believe she's an Australian parrot, says the policeman.

Prong decides to make an appearance.

I am an Australian parrot, says Prong.

Do you have a parrot passport? asks the policeman.

She doesn't need one, says Arthur. 

Oh yes she does, says the policeman. If she hasn't got one, she must come with me.

Don't worry, says Prong. I'll go with him.

You can't, says Terence. I need you.

Not now, says Prong. I've completed the mission.

Mission! says the policeman. What was it?

Nothing, says Prong.

Yikes! says Terence. We're busted! 

Don't say anything else! says Sweezus.

I wasn't, says Terence. 

But it may be too late.

The policeman intends to grill Prong.

My Authoritative Finger

Water? says Simone.

The Spanish policeman picks up the glass.

You're welcome to a goat's cheese and spinach pie, says Simone.

Not for me, says the policeman. Water is fine.

He drinks some.

Ahh, that better. Now where was I?

You were trying to determine whether the sword was obtained by consent, says Sartre.

And why should that matter? asks Simone.

Saint Elias claims he gave it up while in a state of delirium, says Sartre.

Like when he killed people, says Terence.

And whirled up into heaven, says Arthur. 

I see, says Simone. But hasn't the policeman been shown a receipt for the purchase?

He has, says Sartre.

Simone looks at the policeman.

And the saint would have been holding his sword at the time?

I assume so, says the policeman.

Therefore the icon including the sword is the legal property of my husband, says Simone. And he may do what he likes with it. Including what he did do.

He didn't do it, says Terence. I did.

Oho! says the policeman.

With my full consent, says Sartre. We realised that the saint's finger was much too small to replace the dead claw.

You had considered removing the finger? says the policaman.

But we did not remove it, says Sartre.

Saint Elias remembers it now. 

How it was when he thought he would lose his left pointing finger.

The finger is more important to him than the sword.

The finger makes him look like an authoritative figure. A knower of things. Such as where heaven is.

Upwards. 

After all, he has been there.

And is there still, in spirit form, ready to be asked things.

Such as: Please let my plane avoid turbulence, terrorists and high flying gulls.

I wish to announce I have no issue, says Saint Elias.

What did he say? asks the policeman.

What did you say? asks Bowl.

I have no issue with the loss of my sword, says Saint Elias. I don't need it nowadays. I am happy to have retained my authoritative finger.

I hope you heard what he said, says Bowl. Because it was too long for me to repeat it.

I heard what he said, says the policeman. Well then, case closed.

Bravo! says Simone. NOW perhaps you'll have a goat's cheese and spinach pie, before they all disappear.

They are not disappearing, says Sartre. Why didn't you order more meat ones?

I though you'd had enough meat ones, says Simone.

Prawn ones, then, says Sartre.

Simone thrusts the plate at the policeman.

The policeman accepts a small pie.

Whirling Heavenwards

I need him to answer more questions, says the Spanish policeman.

He needs to ask you more questions, says Bowl.

I heard him, says Saint Elias.

He heard you, says Bowl.

Ask him, says Terence.

Which him? asks the policeman.

Come on, man, says Sartre. Ask your question. 

Yes, says Federico. We're all listening.

It's true. Even Arthur, Sweezus and Toyshop are listening.

Very well, says the policeman. First question. What do you mean by delirium?

Runny poo, says Terence.

I'm not asking you, says the policeman.

And you're wrong anyway, says Sweezus. 

Sorry, says Terence.

He was asking me, says Saint Elias. 

Yes, says Bowl. What's your answer?

By delirium I mean a fit of holy madness, says Saint Elias.

He means holy madness, says Bowl.

A fit of, says Terence,

I heard that, says the policeman. Ask him if he's had them before.

Have you had them before? asks Bowl.

Not for some time, says Saint Elias. The delirium would descend upon me moments before I slew a false prophet. 

Hmmm, says the policeman. Any other times?

Any other times? asks Bowl.

Yes, says Saint Elias. When whirling heavenwards on my chariot of fire.

Fairly natural, says Sweezus.

Why is this even relevant? asks Sartre. Surely all you need to determine is that a state of delirium is compatible with giving his sword up willingly.

Simone cames back with a plate of mini goat's cheese and spinach pies, and a large glass of water.

The Spanish policeman is glad of the interruption.

Moment Of Delirium

Does it speak? asks the Spanish policeman.

I don't think so, says Sartre.

He does speak! says Bowl.

Perhaps he speaks only to toys, says the policeman.

Why not try him? suggests Simone.

The Spanish policeman does not wish to be seen interviewing an icon. 

So he turns his attention to Bowl.

You claim he speaks, says the policeman.

Yes! squeaks Bowl.

Don't be nervous, says Toyshop. 

I'm not nervous, says Bowl. 

You sound nervous, says Toyshop. 

Dont worry, says Terence. It's just Victor.

It isn't, says the policeman. Please allow me to do my job without interference.

Is it all right if I go and order more tapas? asks Simone.

Certainly, senora,  says the policeman.

Can I order you anything? asks Simone.

Perhaps a water, says the policeman.

He turns back to Bowl.

Would you mind asking Saint Elias if he gave up his sword willingly?

No, says Bowl.

No? says the policeman.

I wouldn't mind, says Bowl.

Ask him, says Terence.

Bowl is not too far away from where Saint Elias is lying.

Excuse me, says Bowl.

Yes? says Saint Elias. 

The policemen wants to know if you gave your sword willingly to Terence.

I could say no, says Saint Elias.

He could say no, says Bowl.

Is that his answer? asks the policeman.

No it isn't, says Terence.

No interference from you! says the policeman.

But, says Saint Elias.

But, says Bowl.

But I did loosen my grip on it, says Saint Elias.

Deliberately or inadvertently? Think before you answer, says the policeman.

In a moment of delirium, says Saint Elias.

This opens a new can of worms, says the policeman.

False People

 How did you come by that finger? asks the Spanish policeman.

Glue, says Terence.

That is not what I meant, says the policeman. Where did it come from?

Saint Liar, says Terence. It was his sword.

He means Saint Elias, says Sweezus.

This one, says Sartre, indicating Saint Elias who lies on the table, near the last garlic prawn.

Would you like the last prawn? asks Terence.

Gracias, but no, I'm on duty , says the policeman.

Nice of Terence to offer, says Simone.

It was, agrees the policeman. Unless he was trying to divert my attention.

Was I? asks Terence.

I didn't say you were, says the policeman. But it's something policemen have to consider.

Can I try and make a hole in the drink bottle with my sword finger? asks Terence.

NO! cry the Fuzzballs.

No, says Victor. I have finished that line of enquiry. I'm more interested in this sword finger.

It's a good finger, says Terence. Before, I had a claw, but it died.

Gangrene? asks the policeman.

No, brown, says Terence. It was my blood brother's. HE died.

I see, says the policeman. 

Should he be making notes? It's a complex story.

So Sarty went to get me a new finger, says Terence. And he got me Saint Liar.

I BOUGHT him, says Sartre. 

I know, says the policeman. You are no longer under suspicion.

But it was too small, says Terence. So I got the sword instead.

Where was the sword exactly ? asks the policeman.

Saint Liar was holding it, says Terence. He used it for killing false people.

False prophets, says Sweezus. Not false people.

As if there might be false people, laughs Simone. 

Aliens, says Arthur. They might be false people. Who wants that last prawn?

I think you'll agree no crime has been committed, says Sartre. And no misdemeanour.

Unless it's a crime to deface a holy icon, says Federico.

To be honest, I'm not sure of the legal niceties, says the policeman.

He wanted me to have it, says Terence. Ask him.

Saint Elias is pleased that Terence has included him in this matter.

After all, it was once his sword.

And, although at the time he released it willingly....

... now he is feeling unbalanced.

So what will he say?.