What Lovely Manners

Bistrot Armand.

Belle is first to arrive, with Terence.

Arthur has almost finished his moules marinière.

They look yummy, says Belle. Can I try one?

There are two moules left in the bowl, swimming in aromatic sauce.

Go for it, says Arthur.

Guess what? says Terence. I'm allowed to have whatever I like!

Did I say that? asks Belle.

Yes, says Terence. You said it.

I meant within reason, says Belle. 

Try a moule, says Arthur.

He shouldn't, says Belle.

Too late! Terence has tried one. The last in the bowl.

He swallows it down.

And guess what else? says Terence. Jeanne Jugan has the frogs in her underpants.

Merde! says Arthur. I'm not having them back.

She doesn't have them in her underpants, says Belle. That's just Terence.

Me! says Terence.

Thinking too much about the frogs, says Belle. And where they might be.

They were under her singlet, says Terence. 

In a box, says Belle.

And the singlet was tucked into her underpants, says Terence.

Her shorts, says Belle.

Her baggy old shorts, says Terence. The elastic was probably loose

It probably wasn't, says Belle. Anyway even if it was....

Jeanne Jugan and Pierre-Louis enter the café.

Something smells good! says Jeanne Jugan.

Moules marinière, says Belle. I've just tried one. They're really yum.

Jeanne Jugan sits down next to Terence.

Are you comfy? asks Terence.

Yes, thank you, dear, says Jeanne Jugan. What lovely manners.

Yes he does have lovely manners, says Belle. Terence why don't you go to the door and wait for the saints.

I will when she gets the frogs out, says Terence.

Dear me, yes, the frogs! says Jeanne Jugan.

She reaches under her tshirt and pulls out a small box.

She places it on the table and takes the lid off.

Terence looks in.

Quiet-tartus and the knowlesi look out, wearing hard-to-read expressions.

Are you okay? asks Terence.

Are you okay? asks the knowlesi.

Are you copying me? asks Terence.

No, you look pale, says the knowlesi. Are you okay?

NO! says Terence. I've eaten a moule!

All of a sudden he wishes he hadn't.

I knew it! says Belle. Come outside with me, Terence, before you vomit.

She rushes Terence to the door.

Terence is coughing.

Cuh! Cuh! 

Out flies the moule, landing on the pavement.

Yuck, says Terence. 

The saints arrive, looking apologetic.

Sorry we're late, says Saint Méen. We noticed Roo-kai on the sand. Maclou thought we should tell him where we were meeting.

He would already know, says Terence.

He didn't, says Saint Méen. He does now.

And in fact, Roo-kai is above them. He spots the moule on the pavement

A moule!

They must have brought it out for him. How thoughtful.

He drops down and spears it.