Hip Hop Doof Doof

The scabs on Arthur's knees have cracked open.

But he is oblivious. He composes as he cycles:

Après les jours et les saisons
et plusiers raisons
(alcooliques)
je suis tombé de la mezzanine
ma tête comme un aubergine....
doof doof.....

Doof-doof, says Sweezus. Head like an aubergine. That's awesome.

There's more to it, but they have arrived in Saint Malo. They head to La Nouvelle Vague.

Splosh is waiting outside, with Victor, the policeman.

Victor eyes Arthur with suspicion.

What's that on your face, Arthur? asks Victor.

Nothing, says Arthur.

It's blood. You look great, says Splosh. Let's go inside.

How's it been going? asks Sweezus.

I'm in custody, says Splosh. But Victor's a sweetie. What about you?

Heading for Paris in the morning, says Sweezus. Then flying to the Gold Coast.

Wicked! says Splosh. With Gaius?

Yeah, says Sweezus. He's saving the Far Eastern Curlew.

From developers? asks Splosh.

Yeah, I reckon, says Sweezus.

You going in this thing? asks Victor.

Yes, says Arthur. Doof-doof! Mezzanine-aubergine.

Victor shakes his head. Young people.

Splosh buys the drinks. Sparkling water for Victor.

Victor sits down to be entertained by the Open Flow Répétition.

Rappers, slammers and singers.

Ouais, ouais, ouais!

Arthur's on next.

Someone recognises him.

Arthur! Arthur Rimbaud!

It's one of the twins, Irma or Emma.

It's Irma. She's more grown up now.

Arthur's up at the microphone. Doof-doof. Après les saisons... etc.

Falling off the mezzanine, head like an aubergine.

Cool rhyming. It rhymes in English as well.

Le sang coule de mes genoux
tous les deux
ma tête bat trés fort
allongé dans une grotte
ne pas sauver un oiseau
ne crois pas un mot
si tu as entendu
ce serait fou.

Sweezus is not bad at French. He appreciates what Arthur is admitting. That he didn't save Saint Roley, because he'd passed out in a cave.

Irma has realised that she still has a thing for Arthur. Such a cool poet. Is that blood on his face?

The crowd in La Nouvelle Vague murmur and raise their eyebrows.

 Pas mal.  But no way that was Arthur Rimbaud.

He receives the applause he would have received if he wasn't.