Nature's Fecundity

Most are watching the orange dance.

It is different from last night's performance.

They do not get tied to their chairs.

Therefore, if they want to, they can get up and wander.

And where would they wander?

To the hole.

Not the sink hole, that is imaginary, but the hole in the fence that Costa has just disappeared through.

Perhaps to follow him.

Catch him.

Ask him about their thrip problem. Or where best to place a bird bath. Or how to encourage more bees.

Sweezus sees them edging towards the fence hole.

He nudges Belle. She tiptoes over.

Show's not over, says Belle.

But Costa's gone, says one of the deserters.

He'll be back at the end to answer questions, whispers Belle. Go back to your seats and watch the orange dance. It's superbly moving.

Reluctantly the deserters trickle back.

Elodie is singing the extinction song, and Paquette and Brother Giroflée are dancing with ribbons and string. They toss the flowers discarded from Nobby when he was a curtain.

How delightfully charming. The audience can now see that some flowers look like leafy sea dragons and others look like male genitalia.

It surely means something.

They struggle with what.

Perhaps endangered species versus nature's fecundity.

Yes that's it probably.

Arthur slips in through the fence hole.

Where did you go? whispers Belle.

Nowhere, says Arthur. Have I missed my cue?

Idiot, says Belle. You had them spellbound. What was that stuff about calendula and mirrors and chicken shit? Sweezie didn't write it.

No idea, says Arthur. Wasn't me. I just got here.

Don't tell me that was the real Costa! says Belle. He did look authentic.

She looks at Arthur, who doesn't look quite as authentic. Blue eyes for example.

Crikey, says Belle.

Only kidding, says Arthur. It was me. I just did some research. Gardening's easy.

Molasses, says Belle.

Microbes, says Arthur. Who knew?

They lean on the fence and watch the end of the orange dance.

Trill dee pip tee.