Incident In Zen Gardens

Gaius snorts loudly.

The tiny fly exits his nose.

He turns to find out why his wooden seat trembled.

Aha. A lady has sat down on it.

Hello, says the lady. Lovely gardens.

Lovely, says Gaius.

I was on your flight, says the lady. Sitting next to your oystercatcher. My name is Delilah.

Ah yes, the pastry cook, says Gaius. You gave him a mollusc. 

He mentioned it? says Delilah.

We both wondered how a pastry cook could produce a mollusc just like that, says Gaius. Roo-kai's seat was procured at the last moment.

I know, says Delilah. He should not have spoken of it. His beak was sealed.

Only in regard to the other matter, says Gaius.

What other matter? asks Delilah.

I know nothing of the other matter, says Gaius.

That is reassuring, says Delilah. Where is he now?

He is following Terence, who is looking for a waterfall, says Gaius.

There is a pond over there with natural rocks and golden carp, says Delilah. But the waterfall is only a trickle.

Then he will not find Motelo Mama, says Gaius. At least he is running off some of his excess energy.

Terence runs by.

There's a bigger pond that way!

Roo-kai hops after him. 

Sweet, says Delilah. Which reminds me, would you care for a cream cake?

No thank you, says Gaius.

Probably wise, says Delilah. The cream may have gone off.

She takes a cream cake out of a brown paper bag and sniffs it.

Yes, it has gone off.

There is an almond flake stuck to the end of your nose, says Gaius. Dear me! You've breathed it in now! 

Help me! cries Delilah. Do you have tweezers?

No, says Gaius. I do have a pencil. Would that repel you?

Yes! yelps Delilah. But if all you have is a pencil, then do it!  Mind my eyes though!

I advise you to shut them, says Gaius.

The tiny flies hover around, watching.

Why doesn't she just snort it out? That's what most humans do when small things fly up their noses.

The flies marvel, as Gaius inserts the pencil. Angles it deftly, Draws it back out. 

An almond flake comes out with it.

End of drama. 

They continue to hover. That cream does smell nice. 

 Gaius wonders what he should do with the almond flake on the end of his pencil.