Stage 14

It is the following day, as commonly happens in the Tour de France. The riders have reached Stage 14, and will soon be entering the Pyrenees. No one is looking forward to this.

Simone de Beauvoir and Belle et Bonne are discussing yesterday's conversation with Diderot, who is no longer riding with them behind the peloton.

Belle et Bonne: Wasn't it funny that we'd both read The Red Badge of Courage!

Simone de Beauvoir: Not all that funny. It's a famous book. The Americans are very proud of it you know.

Belle et Bonne: I know. They think it's the best book about war that anyone has ever written. But didn't you think Diderot was a bit weird about it? He's not an American. Yet he thought it was better than Tolstoy's War and Peace!

Simone de Beauvoir: Well, remember he is a backup rider for Team Encyclopedie, and may be called up at any time to play his part. He probably identifies quite strongly with the Young Soldier, wondering whether he'll be up to the challenge, or embarrass himself.

Belle et Bonne: The Young Soldier! Do you think so? But he's so old!

Simone de Beauvoir: How old do you think he is?

Belle et Bonne: I don't know. How old do you think he is?

Simone de Beauvoir: He looks about....

They are interrupted by Jean Paul Sartre, who has dropped back to pick up some spinach triangles for Team Philosophe. His friends are struggling before they have even reached the start of the final climb up to Ax3 Domaines.

Jean Paul Sartre: Have you got any more spinach triangles, Simone?

Simone de Beauvoir: No, mon petit. This is not a day for spinach triangles. You must all eat Power Bars today. Power Bars, Power Bars, nothing but Power Bars.

Belle et Bonne: Power Bars, Jean Paul !

Jean Paul Sartre: But I like spinach triangles.

Simone de Beauvoir: Too bad. There aren't any. By the way, mon petit. How old would you say Diderot is?

Jean Paul Sartre: I don't know. Why don't you ask him?

Simone de Beauvoir: I can't. I don't know where he is.

Jean Paul Sartre: Well, he's up ahead. He's just sped past us, going like the clappers.

Belle et Bonne: Oh goody! He must have been called up!