Closing The Wrong Eye

Louise is right. Terence can't see anything through the telescope.

He tries with both eyes. First one then the other.

He sees no moons, nothing. He cries.

Let me see, says Louise. She stands up on tiptoes.

Can you see them? asks Ade.

Yes, says Louise. I can see two quite big ones. And maybe....two little ones.

Very good, says Ade. The bigger ones will be Titan and Enceladus. Well done, Louise.

Wah! cries Terence.

Why are you crying? asks Griff.

He isn't crying, says Louise. He's made of cement. That's why he can't see through the telescope.

Griff bends down, cricking his knee in the process.

Gaius stops looking at Enceladus, and bends down as well.

The people in the queue behind them become agitated.

Two grown men squatting in front of an infant. The infant crying. Why don't they get out of the way? Saturn's moons won't be visible forever.

Ade comes to the rescue. Terence, look at the digital camera. You can see the moons there.

Yes, Terence can see the moons on the digital camera, next to the telescope.

(The telescope is equipped with robotic control and a digital camera).

Terence wipes his eyes. He is thinking:

If his eyes were cement, how could he be crying? How could he see the moons now?

How could he have seen the world passing from the top of the Sagrada Familia? How could he have hidden the tools of Saint Joseph so Saint Joseph couldn't whack him? How did he know which birds were parrots?

He puts these arguments to Louise

Okay, says Louise. You CAN cry and see. I think I know what was your problem.

What? hiccups Terence.

You did what little kids do, says Louise. You closed the wrong eye when you looked through the telescope.

Does that mean I get another go? asks Terence.

No, sorry, says Ade. Tonight we have too many people. Next, please!

It has not been a fun night for Terence.

He stomps down the stairs.

The spirit of Iris Bannochie is already down there, perched on the photo of Harry Bayley.

Did you see any moons? asks the spirit of Iris Bannochie.

Yes, says Terence. I saw Tights and I saw Enchiladas.

Ha ha ha, laughs the spirit. You mean Titus and Enceladus.

I said that, says Terence. And I saw them, even though I had my eyes shut.

Now that's not true, says the spirit of Iris Bannochie. There'll be no red drinks for liars.

No, it's true, says Louise, coming up behind them. And you're a humming bird. YOU don't say who gets red drinks.

But I do, says Gaius. And unfortunately we can't stay for the supper. I've had a call from young Richard Ligon, about Tiny Sacrifice.

Terence is disappointed. He drags his feet as they walk past the supper table towards the red door.

The spirit of Iris Bannochie realises she won't get a lift back if she doesn't follow.

Louise watches them go.

She is about to pick up a red drink from the table, when her mother appears, and says no.