The Ladder To Heaven

Next morning Arthur and Doctor Zhu Min are on a flight to Beijing, with Lavender between them

She does not know Ouvert is in Arthur's pocket. Nor does Doctor Zhu Min.

Even Arthur has somehow forgotten.

Lavender is excited.

When we get there, says Lavender, will there be lots of professors?

Yes, says Doctor Zhu Min. They will all want to examine you.

You mean talk to me, says Lavender. Not examine. I won't be examined.

Of course not, says Doctor Zhu Min.

He changes the subject.

Are you interested in cycling? he asks Arthur.

Yes, says Arthur. I was in the Tour de France, in Gaius's team. Why?

The Tour of Beijing is on, says Doctor Zhu Min. I can arrange for you to watch from a vantage point.

I'll make my own arrangements, says Arthur.

I see, says Doctor Zhu Min.

.......

Meanwhile, back in Qujing, Sikong Shu has arrived bright and early at the Tongyue Gardens Hotel.

He has ordered a cab.

Gaius, Margaret and Rosamunda pile in. They are dressed for a dig.

After twenty kilometres the cab comes to a halt.

This doesn't look like an ancient Silurian seabed, says Gaius.

It isn't, says Sikong Shu. It's the Tiansheng Cave. The Fairy Cave. Remember? Doctor Zhu Min....

Great Jupiter! says Gaius. Then why did you kick me under the table yesterday? I thought it was a signal.

It was a signal, says Siking Shu. To you to stop talking. It worked.

Fairy Cave, grumbles Gaius. Another time waster.

Stop it, Gaius, says Margaret. Just go with the flow. Confucius would no doubt advise it.

Rosamunda has gone on ahead to the entrance. Entry is 5 yuan. She waits for the others.

Sikong Shu pays.

The three levels of caves begin fifteen hundred metres underground. The first is a vast underground palace, thirty metres high. From there you climb up the Ladder to Heaven and emerge in a forest of stalactites.

Do you want to go to the third level? says Sikong Shu. The musical cave?

No, says Gaius. You know very well what I want.

Sikong Shu looks downcast.

Perhaps the ladies? he says

Yes, says Margaret. Take me up to the musical cave.

Rosamunda stays with Gaius, in the forest of stalactites, waiting.

It's your call, says Rosamunda. All you have to do is recant.

Recant what? says Gaius. If I knew.

Don't worry, let me fix it, says Rosamunda.

...........

In the musical cave are many tourists.

Sikong Shu sits down to dream.

Margaret whacks a few stalactites with her scraper. They produce different notes. Perhaps she could bang out a tune.

She attempts the Chinese National Anthem.

Sikong Shu is brought out of his reverie by the angry murmur of tourists.

Margaret pulls at his sleeve.

Time to go, says Margaret. Were you dreaming? Don't worry, you'll see him again. Let me fix it.

They retreat down the ladder as friends.