The Will To Stop Trying

Terence continues to look over the wall for Pierre-Louis.  

He sees him at last.

Pierre-Louis has almost reached the summit.

Terence knows he's supposed to stay in the flat area.

But he wants to ask Pierre-Louis about the ducker.

And once Pierre-Louis gets to the cafe, the adults will command his attention.

Terence gets on his skateboard.

Don't do it, says Roo-kai. 

I'm only going down to where he is, says Terence.

And then what? asks Roo-kai.

But Terence rarely thinks about then what.

He skates gracefully down the road to where Pierre-Louis is labouring upwards.

Hey! calls Terence. 

Hey!  calls Pierre-Louis.

Terence continues down hill.

Pierre-Louis is somewhat concerned. Should he turn back and follow Terence, who may well have an accident?

Don't worry, continue, says Roo-kai, flyng past the ear of Pierre-Louis.

At least that is what Pierre-Louis's ear tells him that Roo-kai has said.

He continues up the last stretch of road to the café.

Enfin! says Vello. You made it!

Thanks to a degree of resignation, says Pierre-Louis. 

That would seem counterproductive, says David.

On the contrary, says Pierre-Louis. It is a way of freeing oneself from the will.

The will to get to the top of Mount Lofty? asks Sweezus.

The will to stop trying, says Pierre-Louis.

Heavy! says Sweezus. By the way, did you see Terence?

Yes, says Pierre-Louis. He passed me on his skateboard, going down. His parrrot was not far behind him.

Fuck! I don't need this! says Sweezus. 

I'll go, says Arthur.

No I'll go, says Gaius.

Didn't someone say Terence had been given the gift of balance? asks David

Yeah, says Sweezus. Gift of balance. He should be okay.

But it's time we left anyway, says Vello. The men's city race is this evening.

No way, is it? says Sweezus. Bugger. Okay, let's go.

I'll stay here a while and recover, says Pierre-Louis.

Would you mind bringing the beach wagon? asks Sweezus.

Yes he would mind, says Vello. Are you trying to nobble my team?

I'll do it, says Gaius. 

No you won't, says Vello. For the same reason.

This is news to Gaius. 

Does this mean he's in Vello's team?