Hamlet Pizza

Upstairs, at the Shakespeare Hotel and Brewery.

Beer, anyone? asks David. 

What clever names, says Katherine. I'll try the Endless Summer Pilsner

That's not clever, says Arthur.

No, that one is not particularly clever, says Katherine. But I'm tempted to try it.

Then it is reasonably clever, says David. What will you have Arthur?

Crazy Ex Wit, says Arthur.

Whatever can that mean? asks Gaius.

Probably some Shakespearean reference, says David. Does anyone know?

It's a wheat beer, says the bartender, who was listening.

Good, says Arthur.

Macbeth's Red Ale for me, says Gaius. Most amusing.

And I'll try the Gravediggers Porter, says David.

You don't like porter, says Katherine.

Perhaps that's the point, says David.

Thou wilt fall backwards when.... something something, says Katherine. That's Shakespeare.

We'll see, says David.

They have their drinks, now to order their dinner.

Shakespeare Pizza, says David. I'm going to try it.

What's on it? asks Gaius.

Smoked chicken, brie, cranberries, guacamole and oregano, says David.

No Hamlet? says Katherine.

Ha ha! laughs Gaius. Hamlet Pizza. That's very funny. I've a good mind to order a Hamlet Pizza and see what they say.

They'll say everyone asks for it, says Arthur.

So Gaius is put off from asking for Hamlet Pizza, although not convinced that Arthur is right.

But what if they do make Hamlet Pizza? It might feature tomatoes.

Then the joke would be on him.

He orders a safe Shakespeare Pizza.

Katherine and Arthur order Margaritas.

The food comes.

Everyone looking forward to tomorrow? asks Gaius. 

He picks up a cranberry. Examines it for traces of tomato. 

Yes, says Katherine. The weather looks fine for rowing ashore to the island. Arthur should have no trouble.

Arthur thinks he must have rowed once. And he doesn't remember. 

But he would surely remember if something had gone wrong.