Facts And Freedom

Belle buys a tray of fresh oysters, and a bottle of local white wine.

François-René takes an oyster, sniffs it and sucks it.

It brings back memories of his beloved sister. (When they used to eat oysters, that is).

He says so.

Sartre says that, in his opinion, to eat is to appropriate by destruction.

Belle replies: Well, in that case...

And whips away the tray, before he can take one.

It's not fair.

Sartre is sulking.

The tide has turned. Dark clouds have rolled in.

Belle starts waving.

Sweezus and Arthur see her waving and wheel their bikes over, followed, at a short distance, by a bird.

Hi guys! Come and join us! says Belle. We're eating fresh oysters.

Brilliant, says Sweezus, taking two.

Saint Roley drops onto the pavement, exhausted.

He hops over to Sartre.

You look like I feel, says Saint Roley.

I was contemplating the unstable co-existence of facts and freedom, says Sartre.

Exactly, says Saint Roley.

Unstable coexistence of.... says Sweezus. Hang on. Can I write that down?

I'm thinking of going back to Paris, says Sartre. So better do it soon. Unless you're coming with me.

Facts and freedom coincide, says Sweezus. We're all going. Who's got a pen?

The perennial problem.

François-René solves it this time. He keeps a tiny pen in the pocket of his trousers, attached to a notebook.

.......

Gaius and Jeanne Jugan arrive at the Eglise de Saint Méen, and enter by the back door.

Hello, folks! says Méen, wiping his hands on a tea towel. How goes the mission?

It's over, says Gaius. And we need a favour. Where is young Butterball?

I think Terence and Baldy have already found him, says Méen.

Loud laughter comes from the chapel.

A scream.

Then three sharp smacks.

Then loud sobbing.

From this we can gather a bad thing has happened.

Perhaps to the beetle.