Ethical Snippets

On the way back from Willy Hill, Sweezus and Arthur call in at the office.

Belle is holding the fort there.

Hi Sweezie! Hi Arthur! Been training?

Sweezus: Yeah. How's it going?

Belle: Not too busy. Lucky you came in, though. Papa and David have arrived in Düsseldorf, and they don't like the backpackers you booked them into.

Sweezus: What's wrong with it?

Belle: Too cheap and cheerful.

Arthur: Tell them to go to Max Brown.

......

In Düsseldorf.

David and Vello are trundling their bikes though the city, looking for the Max Brown hotel.

On Kreuzestrasse they find it.

Gaius is just coming out.

Vello! David! says Gaius. This is fortuitous.

Is it? says David.

Yes, says Gaius. I'm just going out, and I've had to leave Terence with Ageless, but Ageless is not the best carer.

What's that got to do with us? asks Vello.

You'll want to settle in, says Gaius. Terence could sit with you while you do your unpacking. Also I'm awaiting a delivery. My racing bicycle. If it arrives, would you sign for it?

Anything else? asks Vello. Would you like us to pick up some shopping?

What? Oh, ha ha, laughs Gaius. No, I don't need any shopping They serve a rich breakfast here. You'll find Terence in the Social Space, by the parrot wallpaper.

Typical Gaius, says David, as Gaius is walking away.

Once inside Max Brown, they spot Terence, leaning his elbows on a coffee table, face to face with a ceramic parrot.

They ignore him. They go up to Freddie, and book themselves in.

.......

Some time later, Vello phones Jacobi.

Yes? says Jacobi.

Vello, says Vello. We're here. When can we meet?

Where are you exactly? asks Jacobi.

Max Brown Hotel, says Vello. We have our bicycles.

Good. Meet me at the embankment, says Jacobi. Under the Rheinturm. At four thirty. Until then, I'm busy. Good day.

.......

At four, Vello and David are cycling along the Rhine embankment, in a leisurely fashion.

This is pleasant, says David. All these bars, and people enjoying the sunshine. Shall we stop here?

They stop and order two altbiers.

They squint, in the sunshine. No hats.

Gaius cycles past, with Jacobi.

Did we see really that? says David.

We did, says Vello. Gaius, who is not in our team, riding with our new team member.

I hope they're not sharing team tactics, says David.

Jacobi won't know our tactics, says Vello.  As for Gaius, he has his own ethics.

Does he? says David. He said he didn't have a bicycle. But there he is, on one.

He swallows the rest of his altbier.

Come on.

Vello swallows his.

They get on their bikes and follow Gaius and Jacobi, at a cautious distance.

At which distance, they only catch snippets.

Gaius: ..blmblm...Spinoza...

Jacobi: .........nothing of the sort....mumbl...mbl

Gaius: ......I'm a simple man....burble.....

Jacobi:  .....As am I, but Spinoza........murmmmrm.....confused ethical system....bmmm...

It would seem they're discussing Spinoza.