Bleeding Pigeon ( Or Parrot )

In Bar-Cafe Bicicleta, waiting......

Might as well have another, says Schopenhauer.

Why not, says Vello. Who knows how long they'll be.

José should be back soon, says George Santayana. Unless he gets chatting.

Chatty type is he? says David. I hadn't noticed.

Things on his mind, says George Santayana. War anniversaries.

Haven't we all, says Schopenhauer.

War anniversaries? says Vello.

Don't say you haven't noticed, says George Santayana.

I haven't, says Vello. But now that you mention it, I'll keep my eyes peeled. Have you noticed anything David?

David looks suddenly like a man who has remembered something unpleasant.

Ahem, says David. I meant to tell you, I had a message from Ageless.

What does he want? says Vello.

He's working on an addendum, says David. An addendum to his Marine Philosophy article. He realises it was lacking in bicycles. He's calling it Sailors on Bikes.

Ridiculous! says Vello. Where's my phone?

He makes a call to the office.

Ageless is sleeping. Captain Louttit picks up the phone.

Captain Louttit: Vello! How are you? How's Barcelona?

Vello: Never mind! What's this about Sailors on Bikes?

Captain Louttit: Nothing. We've ditched the idea. Couldn't find any.

Vello: Of course you couldn't. Well, I'm glad to hear it.

Captain Louttit: While you're there.....

Vello: Yes?

Captain Louttit: There's this fellow keeps coming into the office. Chinese chap.

Vello: What does he look like?

Captain Louttit: Chinese.

Vello: Apart from that. What does he want?

Captain Louttit: He looks like an ancient sage, and he wants to meet you. When will you be back?

Vello: Day after tomorrow. We're just finishing up here. It's been very successful. Except for an unfortunate knifing incident in which the Spanish philosophers were injured.

Captain Louttit: By Arthur?

Vello: How did you guess?

Captain Louttit: Will he be coming back with you? Gaius is asking. He wants to do Bush Blitz.

Vello: I can't guarantee it. He's just disappeared with a baby.

Captain Louttit: Good heavens! And you let him? Who's the baby?

Vello: No wait. He's just turned up now with the baby and.....what's this.... looks like a verminous pigeon! And it's bleeding! You'll have to excuse me.