Fast Knockdown

That oiseau must be removed, says the waiter, placing the moules on the table.

I'll put it on the floor, says Belle. Will that be okay?

On the floor? says the waiter. There it will hop about disturbing the customers.

Doe he mean Roo-kai? asks Terence.

Yes, says Belle. Our harmless stuffed oiseau.

It's my toy parrot, says Terence. It goes everywhere.

I heard it say something, says the waiter. 

We pressed its talking button, says Terence. Watch this!

He presses Roo-kai's belly. 

A garlic and butter sauce burp issues out.

A burping toy, says the waiter. What next will they think of?  Okay. It must stay on the floor.

But now the waiter has noticed the frogs, who are sitting on the table, thin mosquito legs sticking out of their mouths, like tiny moustaches.

Grenouilles! says the waiter. These too are not allowed in the café.

I'll put them back in their box, says Jeanne Jugan.

She opens her box.

No! cry the frogs. We do not want to go in!

There, you see! says the waiter. They must go outside.

Can we at least eat our moules first? asks Saint Méen.

And my burger? says Arthur. Where is it?

Coming, says the waiter. But only after.

We could legitimately complain about the service, says Pierre-Louis.

Please do not, says the waiter. 

Not only the service, says Pierre-Louis, but your café is full of mosquitoes. To wit: the mosquito legs protruding from the mouths of our frogs. How would it look if I should write a review of your café on Trip Advisor?

 All right, says the waiter. I shall turn a blind eye.

He goes off to get Arthur's burger, and a can of Fast Knockdown.