Philosophy Of Not Eating A Cheezel

David and Vello have come back from their night out at Gluttony.

How goes the rehearsal? asks Vello.

Ray's back, says Rosamunda. He'll be playing Candide now.

I will, says Ray, but I'm not happy about Doctor Pangloss.

What's wrong with him? says Vello. And where is he?

Here, says Terence emerging from the frothy lace hemline. Eee-eee!

Have you learned your lines yet? asks David.

Some of them, says Terence. The sleeves mainly. But I've learned where the pins are.

Not good enough, says Ray. Candide is a play of ideas, not spatial coordinates.

Oh very good! says Vello. Write that down, Rosamunda.

Ray has a point, says Rosamunda. Terence doesn't seem able to articulate the basic teachings of Doctor Pangloss. Perhaps we should get Sweezus back. He might fit in the costume.

She eyes the costume in question.

DON'T get him! says Terence. I'll learn it.

Sit up then, says Ray. Have a Cheezel.

Terence sits up on the table and Ray hands him a Cheezel.

Now eat it, says Ray.

Can't, says Terence. I'm made of cement.

Think about your answer, says Ray. Remember, you're Doctor Pangloss.

Good, Ray, says Vello. The Stanislavsky method. You're a natural teacher.

Not quite, says Rosamunda. Ray hasn't explained the whole ethos to Terence. Terence, you believe that all is for the best in the best of all possible worlds. You may not be able to eat a Cheezel, but you must explain to Candide why that is a Very Good Thing.

I get it, says Terence.

Go on, then, says Ray. Why is it a Very Good Thing that you can't eat a Cheezel?

Cheezels aren't invented, says Terence. So that's a Very Good Thing.

An excellent line of thinking, says David.

Wiggling out of it, retrogressively, says Vello. Not bad. But not exactly Panglossian.

True, says David, but you had no objection to Pangloss being portrayed as an otter.

Vello pretends that he doesn't remember the episode.

Sweezus come in.

You guys are unreal! says Sweezus. Still working!

Yes, says Rosamunda. Some of us. Where'd you go?

Just seen this show, says Sweezus. Woah! How good was it!

How good was it? asks Ray.

The BEST! Air-conditioned, says Sweezus. You guys should go.

He reaches into the Cheezel packet for a Cheezel. The packet is empty.