Playing The Earthquake

Perfect for what? asks Captain Baudin.

The Narrator, says Vello. 

There's to be a Narrator? says David, surprised.

An innovation, which has just come to mind, says Vello. 

Baudin may not be comfortable with performing, says David.

Are we doing Candide again? asks Sweezus.

We? says Vello. Have I asked you to be in it?

Not yet, says Sweezus. But I'll be in it, if you ask me.

Me too, says Terence. Can I be the Bright Red Object?

There will be no Bright Red Object this year, says Vello. We're doing the Earthquake and Aftermath.

Most ambitious! says Gaius. What are the parts?

James the Anabaptist, says Vello. Candide of course. Doctor Pangloss, the Man in Black....

Can I be the Man in Black? asks Terence. And can I wear these socks? Because...

No, says Vello. The Man in Black is an officer of the Inquisition. He has too many lines. And furthermore, he would not wear such comical socks.

This sounds intriguing, says Captain Baudin. How does the plot go?

It's an excerpt, says Vello. Candide and Pangloss are sailing to Lisbon with James the Anabaptist. There is a great storm, followed by a terrible earthquake and sixty thousand deaths. You will narrate this, as our props are limited, and the audience must understand what's happening.

Good thinking, says David.

Cool, says Sweezus. Am I Candide again? Is Belle in it?

Only at the end, says Vello.

David's order arrives at the table. Cafe latte, cappuccino, three flat whites, espresso, a red drink, a piadina capocollo, a mushroom tigelle, a tramezzini al tonno, two rotolos al cotto and a torta di spinici.

We'll order cakes later, says David.

And a brutal sailor, says Vello. I forgot to mention him. That will be you, Arthur.

Terence knocks his red drink accidentally, reaching for a rotolo al cotto.

Several coffees slop into their saucers. A few spoons and a cake knife drop onto the floor.

Terence could play the Earthquake, says Ageless.

Yay! Can I? asks Terence.