Why You Shouldn't Drink Absinthe.

An hour later, in Bar Absenta, the bottle of absinthe is finished.

Sweezus is asleep on the sofa, dreaming convoluted green dreams.

He is riding the Vuelta a Espana, on an elastic bicycle - wee-ahh-wee-ahh - the bicycle stretches and pings - in front of him on a green rocket flies Alberto Contador - and the road rises behind him - ach ach.

It's better than being awake.

Arthur and Vello are awake.

Gargoyles, says Arthur.

Vello stares at where he is looking. A woman yawns. Yes she looks like a gargoyle.

This absence, says Vello....

Absinthe, says Arthur.

Is good, says Vello. When I was a youngster there wasn't ......

Rubbish, says Arthur.  It dates back....

Does it? says Vello. Dates back... does it?  Sorry.....had you finished?

No, says Arthur.

But he has. A sudden sleepiness overtakes Arthur. Head down on the table, he dreams.

A drunken boat, tossed in a maelstrom, spinning, sucked into a whirlpool, black as a hole, with green astral bodies singing at the rim.....

Vello looks at Arthur asleep. Young people. Who knows what they're dreaming?

He goes over to the bar and orders a plate of mixed tapas.

When he comes back Sweezus is awake.

Far out! says Sweezus. I'm the only one awake.

I'm awake, says Vello. And all  these gargoyles.

But Sweezus ignores him. He pokes Arthur.

Arthur falls to the floor.

The plate of tapas arrives.

Sweezus eats all the tapas.

Yum, says Sweezus. That was awesome tapas.

Vello's phone rings.

I better answer it, mutters Sweezus. He's out like a light.

He picks up the phone.

Vello, says Sweezus. I mean, Vello's phone. I'm answering. Sweezus.

Like I couldn't tell it was you, says Belle et Bonne.

Belle! says Sweezus. Where are you?

Right behind you, says Belle. I'm dressed like a little green fairy.

Far out, says Sweezus, turning around and around.