Prickly Pear Dance

Arthur stands by the gate.

Belle comes over.

Has he finished? asks Belle. We're on in fifteen minutes.

I don't know, says Arthur. There was a hold up.

What happened? asks Belle.

The Shadow fell, says Arthur. Between the idea and the reality.

It often does, says Belle, but what actually happened in this case?

Terence went up on stage, says Arthur. 

Why didn't you stop him? asks Belle.

Couldn't, says Arthur. He was invited. On false grounds, as it turned out.

ARTHUR! says Belle. What HAPPENED?

Everyone who'd been brave enough to eat their half peach was invited up onto the stage. 

By T S Eliot? asks Belle.

Yes, says Arthur.

And Terence went, says Belle. Why? Surely he hadn't eaten half a peach. He doesn't eat anything.

Hardly anyone had eaten one, says Arthur. And those who had got bees in their bonnet about being poisoned and went to complain at the box office. So Terence went up.

In his Earthquake costume? asks Belle.

And Baby Pierre followed him, in his costume, says Arthur. And Tom made them dance the Prickly Pear dance. 

Tom? says Belle. You call him Tom now?

It's his name, says Arthur. Anyway, then security came in, and took all the half peaches, so the show was held up.

Crikey! says Belle. Where's Terence now? And what about Kierkegaard's costume?

But she need not have worried. The show has just ended.

The audience streams out, saying things like:

That was so weird!

Wasn't the Earthquake kid cute though? Like a little Baby Jesus

And the teeny pebble, with the headband. 

Isn't he famous, T S Eliot? 

Yeah, he was at Writers Week. I think he wrote Cats.

Cats. I would've liked that. Pity.

Terence runs up, and trips on the black cloak he is carrying.

Did you see me? asks Terence.

No, says Belle. I just got here. Is that Kierko's cloak?

Yes, says Terence.

It's dirty, says Belle.

And sticky, says Terence. 

Just turn it inside out, says Arthur.

I guess we'll have to, says Belle.