Five Or Six Unanswered Questions

Belle arrives, to collect Terence.

Terence! What's this you're making? asks Belle.

A parrot, says Terence.

Yes, I can see how it might be, says Belle.

(This is the proper way to talk to an infant).

Terence continues sticking white paper squares on the flaccid balloon.

Why doesn't he use newspaper? asks Gaius.

We haven't got any newspaper, says Sweezus. Times have changed since you used to watch Play School.

I have never watched Play School, says Gaius. I merely thought it would be a responsible use of old newspaper.

It would be, says Belle, if anyone had any. Now Terence, are you coming? Terence? Where are you?

Terence has hidden under the table, with his half finished parrot.

Farky-Om-Farky is also under the table, licking up flakes of dried craft glue

How did you know it was a parrot? asks Terence.

I divined your intention, says Farky-Om-Farky.

But does it look like a parrot? asks Terence.

That's one too many questions, says Farky-Om-Farky.

Terence loves this answer. He commits it to memory.

Above their heads, the others are talking.

Vello and David are heading off to Utrecht tomorrow, says Belle.

Yeah? says Sweezus. That's early. How come?

They want to catch up with an old acquaintance, says Belle. Cornelius de Pauw.

Da Pow! says Sweezus. Never heard of him. What team does he ride for?

I don't think he rides for a team, says Belle. He's pretty ancient.

How ancient? asks Gaius.

About sixty, says Belle.

Does anyone else think that's ancient? asks Gaius.

You have asked one too many questions! says a voice from under the table.

Arthur sticks his head under the table.

Good answer, says Arthur. Which of you said it?

Me, says Terence. And you have asked three too many questions.

I only asked one, says Arthur.

But it's the third question, says Terence.

It has to be from the same person, says Farky-Om-Farky.

Terence can't see why this would matter.

So anyway, says Belle, I'll be going early too, because I want to spend time in Utrecht. I'm planning to walk the Endless Poem on the cobblestones, and see the statue of Miffy.

And will you take Terence? asks Sweezus.

Four too many questions.

Endless Poem, says Arthur. Why don't I know it?

Five.

(Six, if someone asks about Miffy).