Janice is sitting on the sand next to Belle et Bonne's picnic basket, in a green swimsuit.
Surprise, Arthur! says Janice.
Arthur doesn't like his surprise.
Sweezus grins. Ha ha. Arthur's little girlfriend.
Hello Janice, says Belle et Bonne. Where's your dad and Gaius? Gone for a walk?
Over there, says Janice. They keep TALKING.
Go and get them, says Belle. It's time for the picnic.
Janice runs off.
Some surprise, says Arthur.
That's not the surprise, says Belle et Bonne. Open the basket.
Arthur opens the basket . Tucked in beside the turkey sandwiches, watermelon and grapes is a bottle of absinthe.
You can thank Janice for that, says Belle et Bonne.
Wup! says Sweezus. She bought alcohol?
Of course not, says Belle. I bought it. But it was her idea.
Janice comes back with Gaius and Big Janis, still talking.
If you mix it with ink, says Gaius, it protects writings from mice.
You don't say! says Big Janis. Not that I do much writing....
What are you talking about? asks Belle et Bonne.
Wormwood, says Gaius. Big Janis is interested.
I am, I am, says Big Janis. I'm a landscape gardener. I'm interested in all things vegetal.
Vegetal, says Sweezus. That a coooool word.
He and Arthur have opened the absinthe.
Veg-etals says Arthur. I like veg-etals. Even cabbages ....
Janice giggles.
Can I have some?
No, says Belle et Bonne. It's for grown ups. I've got Powerade for you. A green one.
Blerk, says Janice. Powerade sucks.
We drink it, says Sweezus. We drink it a-a-a-all the time. Don't we Gaius?
Pardon? says Gaius. What are you saying?
Pow-er-ade, says Sweezus.
Pow-whirr-ride, says Arthur.
Eat something you two! says Belle et Bonne sharply. Stop drinking that stuff.
Ah yes, says Gaius. Powerade for energy when cycling.... very dangerous....it can give you a rash....
Cycling! says Arthur. Gaius, I've got something to tell you......
He scratches his head. What was it.....? The green fairy blows in his ear.....
Belle hands him a sandwich. He waves it over his head. The turkey falls out. And the cranberry.
Blood! cries Arthur.
Chill out Arthur, says Sweezus. Just say Ommmm.
Ommmm, says Arthur.
That always works. Arthur remembers.
Lu Ban wants to be CAPTAIN, says Arthur.
Oh does he? says Gaius. A Chinese beginner!
And he wants a contract, mumbles Arthur.
A CONTRACT! says Gaius. I'll give him a contract.
And the mice can eat it, says Big Janis, laughing.
Exactly, says Gaius, taking a handful of grapes. He bites into one savagely.
Oh Arthur. This is not going well.
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