Sea Slugs Slide

The plane is in the air now.

A flight attendant walks past.

Hail! says Captain Baudin.

She pays no attention.

Grab her skirt next time, says Dufresne.

That would be asking for trouble, says Captain Baudin.

What do you suggest then? asks Dufresne.

I'll wander up and speak to Arthur, says Baudin.

I'll wait here, says Dufresne.

Captain Baudin slides off his seat and makes his way up to Arthur's aisle seat.

Arthur pays him no attention.

He is composing a poem in his head.

Upon nacreous shells seaslugs slide/ deep pearl lanterns shimmer round dark Kaos....

Baudin grabs Arthur's shorts with his pincher claw.

What is it? says Arthur.

Nothing says Gaius. How's the poem going?

Helps to pass the time, says Arthur.

I might try one, says Gaius. What are the constraints again?

Each word has to start with the last letter of the word that came before it, says Arthur.

What about the first word? asks Gaius.

HAIL! shouts Captain Baudin.

Good suggestion, says Gaius. But I suppose, really, it could be anything.

Captain Baudin is so angry he starts climbing up Arthur's right leg.

Keeping a low profile? asks Arthur.

I WAS, says Captain Baudin. But that's different from being IGNORED!

Cool it, says Arthur. I asked them to ignore you.

Captain Baudin is relieved of his existential dilemma. 

He returns to his seat to find that Dufresne has got himself into trouble, having moved across to Baudin's seat and grabbed the skirt of a passing flight attendant.

Sir! Please let go of my skirt.

Not until you acknowledge my presence, says Dufresne.

It's all right, Dufresne, says Captain Baudin. They were asked to ignore us.

Not both of you, says the flight attendant. Just you in the red hat. Not him.

I knew it! says Dufresne. All I want is a coffee. And perhaps a toasted sandwich.

You must wait until we stop at your seat with the trolley, says the flight attendant. Then we'll take your order.

She walks off, intending to report him.