Out Of The Frying Pan Into The Jam

Is Ageless coming? asks Lavender.

Ask him, say Kobo. I don't think he's escaped yet.

Have you? asks Lavender.

No, says Ageless. Not yet. I'm inside a bag on a double decker bus on its way to the Hydro Majestic.

With the Japanese couple, says Kobo.

With the Japanese couple, says Ageless. I hear them conversing:

What do you imagine High Tea is, Tsuma? he asks her.

She replies: I have no idea, Otto.

The tour bus follows the Great Western Highway out of Leura.

Passes through Katoomba.

And stops, outside the historic Hydro Majestic Hotel.

Then what? asks Lavender. Do they leave you on the bus?

They are courteous, says Ageless. They open the bag and address me. Lobster, would you care to come in for High Tea?

I reply: I should be honoured.

Is that wise? asks Kobo.

Yes, says Ageless. To remain on the bus would be foolish.

Why? asks Kobo You could try to escape.

Where to, beloved? A lobster, alone in the high mountains?

Not your milieu, says Kobo.

I place my hopes in High Tea, says Ageless.

So what is it? asks Lavender.

Listen and learn, replies Ageless.

We enter through the casino with its grand chandelier, and proceed to the Wintergarden, an elegant room, with a fireplace and charming artworks, and a view of the Megalong Valley. We sit at a table. A High Tea awaits us.

And that is.....? prompts Kobo

On a three-tier silver stand, says Ageless, are arranged little pastries, finger sandwiches, and freshly baked scones with homemade jam and clotted cream. My Japanese captors stuff themselves so full that they lose all desire to eat me.

Well done, Ageless, says Kobo. So you return with them on the bus to Leura, no longer a potential dinner.

I do, says Ageless. We converse. It turns out they greatly dislike Murakami.

Philistines, says Kobo.

I know you admire him, says Ageless.

Anyway, says Kobo, you get off the bus in Leura.

And find you in Wayzgoose café, says Ageless, just in time to go home together.

Have I eaten anything? asks Lavender.

You are so full of red jam that no one wants to sit next to you, says Ageless.

Thanks, Ageless, says Lavender. See, Kobo. I'm full of red jam.

Sorry, Ageless, says Kobo, Lavender is not full of jam. We've already left, without you.

I'm standing right here, says Ageless. How do you explain that?

Think back, says Kobo.

Ageless thinks back to where he began recounting his story/excuse for lateness) ....

Gaius's kitchen. Which is where they are now.

Okay. No need to explain it.