Syrinx

Pliny is at an art exhibition launch. After the speeches a young man plays the flute. The young man's hair swirls up and away from his head in a lyrical wave. Two tiny old ladies are standing in front of Pliny transfixed. The young man plays Syrinx, by Debussy. It is totally seductive. Pliny would clap as loudly as anyone, but he has a glass of white wine in one hand and a thick slice of cucumber wrapped in a white napkin in the other.