The Fool Looks at The Finger

Look at us, says Maricruz. Staring at a photo, when the subjects are right before our eyes.

The wise man points at the moon, the fool looks at the finger, says Kong.

Very clever, Kong, says Gaius. You took the photo.

But it's a good saying, says Maricruz.

I have a million of them, says Kong.

We'd best be going, says Gaius. We're booked into the Hotel Horizontal.

Yes, time flows away like the water in a river, says Kong.

Maricruz looks approving.

She would like them to go.

Do you want a box for Daniel O'Connell? asks Nina.

No, says Gaius, Kong can manage.

A BOX! cries Daniel O'Connell. I miss my red box!

Ooh, says White Slits. You had a box. I bet it was lovely.

'Twas exceedingly lovely, says Daniel O'Connell. A faint scent of the earth issued from it.

Grandma's got a red box, says Nina.

Which red box is this, Nina?

Your Three Soap Box, Grandma. The Maja.

Oh yes, Nina, go and fetch it.

Nina goes upstairs, and comes down with a box.

The base is red cardboard. The lid is half red, half black. In gold writing on the red half, is the word MAJA.

Splendid! says Daniel O'Connell. He hops inside. It is roomy, big enough for three Maja soap cakes. And the perfume is oriental and spicy.

It seems he's made himself at home, says Gaius. Thank you ladies. Come Kong, come Terence.

But Terence is not in the kitchen.

I'll find him, says Baby Pierre.

He rolls out to the foot of the staircase.

Are you upstairs Terence? calls Baby Pierre. They're going!

No reply is down-coming.

And I'm going too! shouts Baby Pierre.

Nothing.

......


In Feebee's bedroom muffled giggles come from under the bed.

That's where Terence is hiding, with Feebee.

We'll get up really early, says Feebee.

How will we get there? asks Terence.

I know, says Feebee. We'll steal a map.

Can you read? asks Terence.

Course I can, says Feebee.

......

Here he is! calls Nina.

She drags Terence out from under.

She hauls him downstairs.

Good, now they can go.

Enjoy your ferry ride to Gran Canaria tomorrow, says Maricruz.

Thank you, says Gaius.

Thank you, says Kong.

Thank you, says Baby Pierre.

And thank you for my box, says Daniel O'Connell.

How polite they all are, except Terence.

....

They have gone.

Only White Slits is left on the table.

Absently, Maricruz crushes White Slits with her finger.

Jesús, Grandma! says Nina.