Confucius Is Coming

Later that day.

Belle returns to the Velosophy office, with Terence in tow.

Hello, Belle, says Vello, without looking up. How was the ocean?

Belle is about to say, wet.

Vello looks up. Something is different.

I know, says Belle. This wasn't a good thing to wear.

She fell in the water, says Terence. And I fell in the water. I was the first one.

Silk, says Belle. It shrinks so easily.

Indeed, says Vello. It does.

David comes in.

Hello Terence. Hello Belle. Dressed for summer?

Belle goes to the cupboard and takes out a jacket she keeps there.

How was it? asks David. Did Gaius get on with Margaret?

Yes, says Belle. He was in a good mood. He agreed to go out with her.

Where to? asks Vello. OzAsia?

Yes, says Belle. The Confucius Institute Lecture.

I might have known, says Vello. I wonder if Kong will be there?

.......

Kong will be.

He does not like to miss the Confucius Institute Lecture.

This year's subject is: Lost In Translation.

He is in Adelaide already, staring out of his city hotel window, at the storm which is gathering.

Just my luck, thinks Kong Fu-Zi. This means they will probably close the Good Fortune Markets.

He decides to get in touch with Gaius.

Perhaps he'll invite him to tea.

.......

 Kobo is in the kitchen looking inwards. Outside she hears high winds and rain.

She is thinking of Baby Pierre, the young scallywag. Where is he?

But Ageless is thinking of her. And here he is, standing before her, licking his lips.

Click..click! My dearest beloved!

What now?

Would you do me the honour.....rrr?

It depends, says Kobo. Which honour is it?

The honour of accompaniment, says Ageless. But no....

No?

Not in the sense of a culinary accompaniment, says Ageless. Don't jump to nasty conclusions, my cream puff.

So you've replaced the tickets, says Kobo. Why not just say so?

Only one caveat, says Ageless. We must go with Margaret.

I like Margaret, says Kobo. She is a geologist.

And she has a handbag, says Ageless.

What has that got to do with it? asks Kobo.

The phone rings. Gaius enters the kitchen and answers.

Hello?