Bishops Sink In

 It's not Arthur Rimbaud.

Some are inclined to believe it, but Richie isn't.

Hi, Sweez, says Richie. New team member?

No way, says Sweezus. The real Arthur'll be here tomorrow.

Cutting it fine! says Richie. Who's this guy then?

Friend of ours, says Sweezus. Doing us a favour.

Reckon I've seen him before, says Richie.

Yeah, you would've, says Sweezus.  

Does he talk? asks Richie.

Not a lot, says Sweezus. 

Hang on a tick, says Richie. The clown!

Aka Marcel Proust, says Sweezus. There's no law against it, is there?

Presenting a guy who's not in your team, says Richie. Bet there is!

Team Philosophe did it, says Sweezus.

Yeah I saw, says Richie. No way those two old guys were Gaius and David.

Know who the old guys are? asks Sweezus. A couple of old bishops. Vello met them in Landerneau, when he went there with Belle to buy some trou mad.

What's that? asks Richie.

Shortbread, says Sweezus. 

Bishops! says Richie.

Weirdness. It has only just sunk in.

Yeah, bishops, says Sweezus. Out walking along the coast path. They got talking. Turns out they're both old Breton saints. But the craziest thing is....

Geraint Thomas appears, looking for Richie.

Hey Sweez! says Geraint. Team all set for tomorrow?

Yeah, says Sweezus. 

Who's your new skinny guy?

No one. It's Arthur.

What's with the mo?

It'll be off by tomorrow.

Yeah, we'll all be off by tomorrow.

A weak joke, but they laugh. 

Richie goes off with Geraint to check their new Peak 4550 wheels. Again.

Good on you Marcel, says Sweezus.

You are welcome, says Marcel, who has been by his side all along, and not spoken a word, as contracted.