The Permanence Of Impermanence

Katherine's joke about the tools of the Buddha has fallen wide of the mark.

She presses on regardless.

So the Buddha turns off the water to make a point about Impermanence? says Katherine.

I know what that is, says Terence. Saint Joseph said I was impermanent.

Yeah, says Sweezus. But it wasn't what I was thinking.

A point about Suffering? asks Katherine.

Good one! says Sweezus. He might.

But it wasn't what you were thinking, says Katherine.

No, says Sweezus.

(When will Katherine stop talking? He needs to get home).

What then? asks Katherine. You must have some line of reasoning?

Believe nothing, says Sweezus. Not even if I say it. Unless it agrees with your own common sense. The Buddha said that.

And that agrees with your common sense does it? says Katherine.

It's awesome, says Sweezus. Buddha rocks.

Buddha farts, says Terence. Prrrp! And no one believes that he did it.

Impertinent! says Katherine. I think you'll find THAT was what Saint Joseph called you.

I know. I already told you, says Terence.

I have to go, says Sweezus. Could you take Terence to his rehearsal?

All right, says Katherine. Come on Terence. What part are you playing?

I've died, says Terence.

Sweezus goes back to his flat.

He opens the door. Water pours onto the pavement.

.......

Ray has invited Margaret to watch the rehearsal.

It's the scene where Candide meets Cunégonde's brother, the Jesuit Commander in Paraguay, and kills him.

Vello and David are late. Terence has not yet arrived.

Margaret! says Rosamunda. How lovely to see you, and how lucky! Would you like a part?

Oh, says Margaret. This is most unexpected. Why not though?

You can play Cunégonde's brother, says Rosamunda. You and Candide grew up together. You each thought the other was dead. You recognise one another, embrace, and burst into tears.

This is more than Margaret could have hoped for.

........

Katherine enters with Terence, as Ray and Margaret embrace with manly passion.

Yurk! says Terence. That's disgusting. Where's my costume?

Is that it? says Katherine, pointing to a heap on the floor.

It is. Full of pins notwithstanding, Terence dives into it.

STOP KISSING, says the costume.

They stop, but not for that reason. In the circumstances, men should not kiss for too long.

Now, says Rosamunda. Ray, you tell him you want to marry his sister. He calls you an insolent fellow. You have a sword fight. Where are the swords?

Pencils, says Katherine. Vello always uses pencils.

They look around for some pencils. But pencils are never around when you want them.