Where Is Your Pommel?

Outside, in the shed, Buster is dozing.

A floodlight is turned on.

Bugger! snorts Buster.

Madame Ponty comes up.

Buster dear, will you do us a favour?

Who's us? grumbles Buster.

All of us, says Madame Ponty. 

Don't tell me. A night ride, says Buster.

A simple dismount, says Madame Ponty.

Terence appears from behind.

Did he say yes? asks Terence.

No, says Buster. Not yet. And you don't have a helmet.

You're right, says Madame Ponty. But for a dismount we can dipense with the helmet.

Okay, says Buster. 

She saddles him up.

And to save time, I'll lift Terence on, says Madame Ponty.

No, says Terence. I remember.

He does remember. Face Buster's bottom. Foot in left stirrup. Hoist yourself on.

Reins! says Madame Ponty.

Terence grabs the reins, and tries to hoist himself on.

Did I help you last time? asks Madame Ponty.

Yes, says Terence.

She helps him again. After all, it has nothing to do with dismounting.

Belle and the saints are at the fence watching.

Are you going to let Madame Ponty keep the beanie? asks Belle.

Not likely! says Saint Méen. But she may as well try to earn it. Terence will benefit.

Terence is sitting on Buster. Now for the dismount.

Terence remembers the procedure. Feet out. Hold onto the pommel.

The pommel!

Where's your pommel? asks Terence.

How should I know? asks Buster.

I went stiff last time, says Terence,

Have you gone stiff again? asks Buster. Do you want me to help you get off?

Buster has a nasty look when asking.

Where is Roo-kai?

Here he is, having finally eaten his mussel. Cooked ones are chewy.

Hurry up, Terence, says Madame Ponty.

What's the problem? asks Roo-kai.

I've lost the pommel, says Terence.

It's right there, says Roo-kai, indicating the pommel.

I knew I had a pommel, says Buster. Now get on with it.

Ha ha! laughs Terence. Get on with it! That's not dismounting.

Smart arse! says Buster. 

Leg over, says Roo-kai.

No prompting! says Madame Ponty.

She sees the saints looking at her. Niceness is required.. 

Okay, says Madame Ponty. I'll overlook that, but no more prompting.

Terence remains stiff. He can't start the leg over.

Roo-kai has an idea. He flutters up and over Buster.

Buster is spooked, and rears up a little. Terence slides sideways off Buster, not gracefully.

(a result, though it wasn't the plan)