The Aztecs And The Philosopher

It's the next day.

Vello, David, Belle and Terence are flying to Amsterdam.

It's a total disaster, says Vello.

Not necessarily, says David. We've lost Gaius. But we still have Surfing-With-Whales.

DO we? says Vello. DO WE?

Stop worrying papa, says Belle, from the seat behind them. You're better off without Gaius.

But why didn't he tell me? says Vello.

Absent-minded? says David.

Tempted by Sweezus and his dog, says Belle. You can't blame him. That dog is a phenomenon.

It talks, says David. That much is in evidence, but what can it DO?

It knows everything, says Terence. See this parrot?

No I can't, says Vello. You're sitting behind me.

I'll look, says David.

He undoes his seat belt, stands up and turns to look at the parrot.

It does look more like a parrot than it did yesterday.

Yes, says David. I see it. It could pass for a parrot.

I'll take your word for it, says Vello. What about it?

Farky-Om-Farky KNEW it was a parrot, says Terence.

Before it was finished, says Belle.

So he knew it was a parrot, says Vello. I fail to see how such prescience could be utilised in a bike race.

You could ask it, says David.

Ha ha, laughs Vello. We could ask it.

And that's that. Even philosophers can be thick sometimes.

Speaking of which.......

It'll be good to see old Cornelius again, says Vello.

Yes, says David. I wonder if he'll have modernised? He was so set in his ways.

Ha ha, yes! says Vello. Remember what he said about the Aztecs and their calendar?

Ha ha! laughs David. Their prodigious ignorance was proof that they didn't invent it!

Nice of him to put us up, though, says Vello.

Yes, very kind, says David. I look forward to sampling his poffertjes.

And soused herrings, says Vello.

They lapse into a delightful reverie of poffertjes and soused herrings.

Until the flight attendant rolls by with the drinks trolley.

Bearing red wine and mixed nuts.