Sartre's Cheese

Sweezus feels better, after the prune.

And the soft cheese is getting softer.

To a topologist, says Sartre, a sphere and a cube are identical.

Sweezus waits for the explanation.

Zero holes, says Sartre.

This is so basic that Sweezus does actually get it.

Like a cheese and a prune, says Sweezus.

You have it, says Sartre. Now consider the donut. To what is it identical?

Something else with only one hole through the middle, says Sweezus.

Think what that is, says Sartre, selecting a prune.

He taps his front teeth theatrically.

Sweezus is distracted by Sartre's thick lips. Does he kiss Simone with them?

Far out! Yuck! Grossness!

Concentrate, Sweezus.

Sartre has opened the top end of his hole.

Yeah okay, gotcha, says Sweezus. But where is this going? That's just topology. What's your take on it?

Sartre doodles on his notepad.

First and foremost, says Sartre, I am a philosopher, not a mathematician. I take this from topology: that it is concerned with transformation through stretching, crumpling and bending, but not tearing.

Sweezus looks sideways at the doodle. It's not what he expected.

He expected a donut.

Not a woman's face, under a large bamboo hat.

It's Beaver, says Sartre. I mean, dear Simone. I call her Beaver, but it's not what you're thinking.

Yeah, but .... you said you'd write notes, says Sweezus.

You're thinking, says Sartre, that it is a crude sort of endearment, but it isn't. Beaver doesn't mean a fine crop of female pubic hair, as it does in America.

Right, says Sweezus. Transformation. So I guess that's about existential contingency.

Our cheese is ready to be eaten, says Sartre. Soft and runny, with a pungent aroma, what would you say... the scent of the barnyard?

Sweezus sniffs Sartre's cheese.

Woaaa!

He is certainly earning his money.

........

Meanwhile, Arthur is still off with the waiter.

Gaius and Belle are now looking for Splosh, Baldy and Terence.

They see the red paint spots.

That's Splosh's paint, says Belle. I just know it. Isn't she naughty!

Subversive, says Gaius. There is a place for such things.

You're very chilled, says Belle. What if she's done a blockbuster on Terence?

Terence will be delighted with himself, says Gaius.

But what about Sweezus? says Belle. He won't be delighted.

He need not know, says Gaius.

True, says Belle. They keep walking, following the paint spots.

At last, sitting  at a table outside a café, they see Splosh, sipping a frappé.

Splosh! cries Belle. Where are Terence and Baldy?

Here, says Splosh. Under the table, playing Cannot But Be. Come on out guys!

Terence comes out. He is covered all over in bubble style lettering.

Baldy looks similar.