Don't Stir

Inside the cafe (The Groovy Penguin), Gaius is on the phone.

Yes, Poppy, says Gaius. We'll be there in .....how long, Rosamunda?

Fifteen minutes, says Rosamunda. If we leave Penguin now.

Where's Arthur? asks Unni.

He went looking for a chemist, says Surfing-With-Whales.

He didn't need to, says Unni.

I'll go and find him, says Surfing-With-Whales.

He goes into the street.

Arthur and Terence are standing next to the bin, joking with the decorative penguins.

The penguins are laughing.

I've got another one, says Terence.

What is it? asks Baby Bin Penguin.

Why did the skittle go bowling? says Terence.

I know this one, says Surfing-With-Whales. Because he's part of bowling.

Part of bowling? says Arthur. That's not a joke, that's a factual statement.

Yes! It's the right answer! says Terence.

Hee hee, says Baby Bin Penguin. It's the right answer! What's bowling?

Skittles, says Terence. Don't you know anything? I've got another one, seeing you didn't get that one.

What is it? asks Baby Bin Penguin.

It's not actually a joke, says Terence. It's just something funny.

What is it? asks Daddy Bin Penguin. It better be better than the last one.

Ha ha, laughs Mummy Bin Penguin. You are a card, Daddy! Better-be-better than the last one!

Daddy Bin Penguin smirks.

Don't listen to them, says Baby Bin Penguin. What's your funny something?

Okay, says Terence. This is it. Listen:

Patient: Doctor doctor, I think I'm a spoon.
Doctor: Sit on that chair and stop staring.

Even Surfing-With-Whales doesn't get it.

Perhaps there is nothing to get.

But Arthur is good at second-guessing.

Don't STIR, says Arthur. Sit on that chair and don't stir. If you say that, it's funny.

Why? asks Baby Bin Penguin.

Yes why? asks Terence.

Don't worry, says Arthur. Anyway, looks like we're leaving.

Rosamunda, Unni and Gaius emerge from the Groovy Penguin.

We're leaving, says Terence. Bye bye, Baby Bin Penguin.

Don't go far off, says Baby Bin Penguin.