Dad Made All The Maps

Come, says Saint Roley to the guinea pig.

He has seen an open window.

He could fly out, but she couldn't.

He asks Mariposa.

May we go out?

Have to ask dad, says Mariposa.

What's this? asks Pedro Vicente Maldonado. Do they want to go out?

Yes, says Mariposa.

Then let them out, says her father.

That's our guinea pig, says Sweezus. Don't lose it.

Saint Roley and the guinea pig follow Mariposa to the front door.

Mariposa comes back to the table.

The remains of the spit roasted guinea pigs are piled up on a platter.

An employee of the caterer comes out from the kitchen and takes them away.

All the little feet, and the tails and burnt ears that nobody wanted.

Simon is explaining why the meeting at the university didn't go all that well.

Seems the team we're working with have left for Imbabura already, says Simon.

It's too bad, says Lydia. We have to make our own way there.

We'll need better maps, says Simon.

Maps! says Pedro Vicente Maldonado.Then I am your person.

Dad made all the maps of this country, says Pescado.

He exaggerates a little, says Pedro. But it's true I've done a great deal of mapping.

I should like to see them, says Gaius.

You will, says Pedro. But first, we must finish our dinner. The sweet is now coming. T'anta wawa.

What a nice name says Tilly. What does it mean?

Bread children, says Pedro.

The plate of bread children is carried in and placed on the table.

They are little bread rolls shaped like children, split and filled with red jam. Green icing is drizzled over the children to make them look festive.

Red jam! says Terence.

And a purple drink to go with it, says Pedro Vicente Maldonado. Colada morada.

Yay! My favourite drink, says Terence.

You never had it before, says Sweezus.

Wait, says Terence.

You're funny, says Mariposa.

Terence knows he is funny. And now he has everyone's attention.

Except for Saint Roley, who's gone.

Saint Roley and the guinea pig are sitting outside near the fountain.

Comparing stories.

Put in a sack, says the guinea pig. Parted from my siblings.

Floating away on a wet sheet of cardboard, says Saint Roley. Away from my brother.

They stare at the fountain.

Water shoots up and drifts down.