Master Of Science Of The Universe

Terence rifles through the shorts, while Belle watches, thinking of Pablo.

A vendeuse approaches.

May I help you? she asks. I am Aurélie. Do you search for something in particular?

Black and white ring shorts, says Terence.

Ring shorts? says Aurélie. Is this a new sport for les enfants?

Belle starts paying attention.

He means shorts with black and white rings, says Belle. You don't seem to have any.

Is it stripes, or circles? asks Aurélie. We have striped ones. See. Bermuda Rayé.

The stripes are vertical.

Rings are supposed to join up, says Terence. Don't you know anything?

He's going looking for snakes, says Belle. In the Gulf of Carpentaria.

Alors! Now I am with you, says Aurélie. Would it be the bandy bandy?

Yes it would! says Belle. How did you know?

They have discovered a new one, says Aurélie. I study endangered species at the Sorbonne. Sadly the new one is already endangered due to bauxite mining in the area.

That's really rough, says Belle.

Yes, says Aurélie, but the immediate problem is shorts for the petit garçon. Unfortunately we do not stock snake shorts, but I know where you can buy them.

She takes out her phone and brings up Snake Shorts.

Shows Terence.

The Snake Shorts are cool. They are black and white. They have white snakes on them, with black rings. They come in sizes 1 to 10. (The shorts do. The snakes are identical).

Cotton On! says Belle. We can actually get them in Adelaide.

Yes you can, says Aurélie.

Thanks Aurélie, says Belle.

It's my job, says Aurélie.

Surely it isn't, says Belle This is a Monoprix.

Ha ha, laughs Aurélie. I'm thinking of my future job, once I finish my Master of Science of the Universe, Environment and Ecology.

That's awesome, says Belle. Well, good luck with that, Aurélie. Come on Terence.

Not yet! says Terence. I haven't got anything.

We have a striped black and white Marinière tee shirt, says Aurélie. Horizontal stripes. You could try it.

No! says Terence. Not a tee shirt!

Why not? asks Belle. Try it. It will be something, until you get the Snake Shorts.

Yes try it, says Aurélie. It is only six euros.

Terence won't try it, but Belle buys it anyway. And two pairs of snake socks which are not really snake socks but Belle and Aurélie have decided they are.

Just because they have one thin black line on.

Stupid ladies.