Interruption

Gustave and Gaius were upstairs looking at a collection of works by young German and Australian photographers.

This is better, said Gaius. Nice photographs in frames on walls. Too tame for SPLOSH! no doubt.

Who would have thought? said Gustave.

Thought what? said Gaius.

That Violetta would turn out to be a crazy street artist, said Gustave. She's certainly not the courtesan I thought she was.

You thought she was a courtesan? said Gaius.

I did, at first, said Gustave. Violetta the beautiful but doomed courtesan from Verdi's La Traviata.

A fictional character? Gaius looked sceptical.

Yes, a fantasy, admitted Gustave. Which turned into a nightmare, he added. How are we going to get rid of her?

We don't have to get rid of her, said Gaius. She's a very fast rider. She'll be an asset to Team Bumptious.

Hmm, sighed Gustave. She doesn't strike me as a team player.

He began to look at the photographs, idly.

What are we supposed to make of these? he asked Gaius.

We're supposed to be asking ourselves what they are telling us, said Gaius. For example, the choice of subjects, and points of view. And are they different for the Germans and the Australians? And if so why? And in what way?

Well, said Gustave. Let's see. The Germans like taking pictures of customs check points, and derelict camp sites and girls with bandages over their noses, while the Australians like taking pictures of anorexic girls and picnicking rabbits or, wait a minute, are they goats?

Gaius was just about to take a closer look when SPLOSH! burst out of the lift and ran towards them gesticulating wildly.

Quick, you guys! she cried. We've got to get out of here pronto!