Friday, August 30, 2019

If It Doesn't It Doesn't

They leave Mouldy with Chen and her mother, in Bite and Bite.

Mouldy's future looks rosy, says P. kameri.

Because of the red bike, says Terence.

He may well be spoilt, says Gaius.

Spoilt, says Jinjing.

Try saying something longer, says Terence.

Something longer, says Jinjing.

Never mind, says Gaius. I'm sure he is capable. Remember what he said as we were leaving?

No, says Terence. What did he say?

He said Your burger is ready, says Gaius.

But you didn't have a burger, says Terence.

No, says Gaius. The point is, he changed the determiner.

Jingjing looks confused.

He did not know he had changed the determiner. Is something wrong with his button?

Chen said, My burger is ready, says Gaius. And Jinjing said Your burger is ready.

So whose burger was it? asks Terence.

Gaius rolls his eyes. P. krameri answers.

Hers, says P. krameri. Not his. Therefore Jinjing has demonstrated linguistic intelligence.

Yay! says Terence. I knew I made a good swap.

Of course Mouldy could have said the same thing, and we wouldn't have been surprised, says Gaius.

Why? asks Terence.

Different expectations, says Gaius. My suggestion is, persevere with Jinjing.

Okay, says Terence. Jinjing, whose burger was it?

Was it? says Jinjing.

Yes, says Terence. It was. Your answer shows linguistic intelligence. Would you like your own seat on the plane?

Own seat on the plane, says Jinjing.

I suppose he can have his own seat, says Gaius. We have Mouldy's passport. But first, we should check the photo to see if the two look the same.

He takes out Mouldy's passport.

Holds it up next to Jinjing.

Same, says Terence.

No way, says P. krameri. Mouldy didn't have a button.

That's not in the photo, scoffs Terence.

Jinjing sneaks a sideways look at the passport photo.

He would love his own seat on the plane.

It should do, says Gaius. And if it doesn't it doesn't.

He's not worried, either way.


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