Called To Glory

La Manche. Northern France. In La Sirène Lochet. A café.

Vello: These crepes are delicious.

David: Yes, egg, ham and cheese on a pancake. Almost Scottish.  I think I'll have another.

Marx: Shouldn't you be watching your diet?

David: Look who's talking! Who ordered banana and chocolate to follow?

Marx: Fruit is healthy.

Vello: Indeed. Look at young Pablo Neruda over there, eating a tomato. Now I call that healthy.

David: Gaius would dispute that.

Marx: How is Gaius?

Vello: Fit as a fiddle, worse luck. A few minor bruises after the accident. He's still coming, though.

David: I suppose he'll be valuable as a back-up.

Vello: No he's changed teams. He's riding for Team Condor.

Marx: Is that Pablo's team?

David: Yes it is! Pablo! Come and join us!

Pablo comes over, with a half eaten tomato.

Vello: Heard anything from Sweezus? How is he?

Pablo: Ay! A broken collar bone.

David: So, is Gaius team leader?

Pablo: Que no! Arthur is the team leader. Gaius is domestique.

Vello: Ha ha. He won't like that much.

David: I thought Arthur was injured.

Pablo: He was, but it was only on his knees, some scrapings. Also the infant, some small pieces have fallen off him.

Marx; Are we talking about young Terence?

Pablo: Si. The young Terence.

Marx: Is he coming?

Pablo: Si. He has one wish. To ask of his grandfather a question.

Marx: Good grief! Meaning me? Don't tell me he still harbours that foolish fantasy.

Vello: Come on man, it's flattering.

Marx: Do you know the question?

Pablo: No. He won't tell it.

David: Little scallywag. Probably just wants to manipulate everyone. Oh look! Is that André Greipel?

Vello: It is. What's he got there?

Pablo: A crepe with banana and chocolate.

David: Well, Vello, does that surprise you?

André Greipel: This is a banana and chocolate crepe for someone at this table.

Marx: That would be me. Thank you!

Andre Greipel: No worries. Just helping out. It's getting busy.

David: So it is. Is that Richie Porte?

Vello: Hey! Richie!

Richie comes over.

Richie: Hey Pablo! Bad luck about Sweezus!

Pablo (morosely): Thanks.

Richie: Who's your new team leader?

Pablo: Arthur.

Pablo takes a bite from his neglected tomato.

Marx starts on his chocolate banana.

Vello and David finish their crepes.

André raises an eyebrow at Richie.

 Everyone tries to imagine what sort of team leader Arthur will turn out to be.