When Blinking Means Yes

I know where the lizard will be, says Baby Pierre.

Where? asks Terence.

Where the sun is, says Baby Pierre.

Terence looks up at the sky.

On the ground, enjoying warm sunny patches, says Baby Pierre. Don't you know anything?

I was looking for Roo-kai, says Terence. He might come back for directions.

Not yet. Help me look for the lizard, says Baby Pierre. Stand still and watch for eyes staring straight at you.

Terence stands still. This reminds him of mean old Saint Joseph, always on the lookout....

A head pokes out from a pile of dead weeds.

There he is, says Terence.

Ask him, says Baby Pierre.

You ask him, says Terence.

Yes, that's best, says Baby Pierre.

Baby Pierre rolls slowly towards the lizard. It flicks out its blue tongue, and retracts it.

Nice one, says Baby Pierre. Are you busy?

The lizard does not appear to be busy.

Did you see a parrot, a little while ago? asks Baby Pierre.

The lizard knows it was an oystercatcher, not a parrot. But says nothing.

Did it ask you which way was north? asks Baby Pierre.

The lizard knows it did. But pretends not to remember.

Yes, says Terence. 

YOU don't know! says Baby Pierre.

Well, he isn't saying, says Terence. If it's yes, he might blink, and then we can ask the next question.

What will he do if it's no, says Baby Pierre.

Keep staring, says Terence.

That's what he's doing, says Baby Pierre. But we don't know if it's because no is the answer.

The lizard blinks. 

He blinked, says Terence.

I just did that to prove something, says the lizard.

FINALLY! says Terence. What?

Blinking doesn't mean yes unless I consent to yes being it's meaning, says the lizard.

Does it mean no? asks Terence.

No, says the lizard. 

Is that a trick answer? asks Terence.

Stop this, says Baby Pierre. We want to know if you gave Roo-kai misleading directions. He has recently arrived here from France, and may not have his bearings.

Oh dear, says the lizard. Yes I did send him south. But don't worry, he will soon realise. What was he looking for?

The submarine building facility, says Baby Pierre. Instead of which  you have sent him towards the desalination plant.

I didn't know he was French, says the lizard.