High Hat

Le Bon David, Marie and Belle et Bonne are sitting in front of Cafe Tranquilo in Stirling, drinking coffee under a shady tree.

Belle et Bonne: How beautiful it is! Lucky people, who live here.

Marie: Yes, what lovely liquidamber trees. Imagine how glorious they must look in autumn. And what a delightful village atmosphere!

Le Bon David: And yet it seems to be a little difficult to cross the road.

Belle et Bonne: Mmm, there is rather a constant stream of traffic. Look at that man over there trying to cross. He's been waiting for ages.

Marie: Look at his funny hat. No wonder he can't get across. He can't see properly.

Le Bon David: I've never seen such a hat.

Belle et Bonne: Neither have I. He looks like some sort of a hippie.

The man in the hat finally begins to cross the road. It is indeed a strange hat he is wearing. It is made of stiff bands of brightly coloured materials stitched together. It is wide at the bottom tapering upwards into a point with a tassel that is at least half a metre above his head.
He approaches the table under the tree at Cafe Tranquilo.

The Man in the Hat: Hello everyone! Did you find any blackberries?

Belle et Bonne: Papa! It's you!

Marie: What a shock you gave us. We thought you were a local.

Le Bon David: Yes, Vello! We thought you were a hippie! Where did you get that hat?

The VeloDrone: Oh, I bought it in Druids Lane, just round the corner. There's a craft fair going on. You can buy organic coffee, jars of jam, beads, vegetables in pots....

Le Bon David: And peculiar hats.

The VeloDrone: It's a Hilltribe hat, that's what it is. It only cost eighteen dollars.

Belle et Bonne: I think it's very nice papa, now that I've got used to it. But can you see in it?

The VeloDrone: Not really, I was wondering if you could think of a way I could raise it a little?

Marie: Yes we can. Here are four boxes of blackberries that we have spent all afternoon gathering. You can stick them under your hat.