A Big Box Of Blasters

Afternoon.

Vello and David are inspecting the Piglet.

It's going to be hot, says David.

It is, says Vello. But it will be cooler this evening.

What time's our show? asks David.

Seven, says Vello. 

Pierre-Louis arrives on his bike.

Bonjour! says Pierre Louis. Inspecting the venue?

Yes, says Vello. When are you on? 

Eight fifteen says Pierre-Louis. Can I ask you a favour?

Ask away, says Vello.

I'm planning to leave my bicycle back stage, says Pierre-Louis. Could you keep an eye on it?

No, says Vello. You see how little room there is. We have scenery, costumes and ladders.

Not to mention a rope and pulley, says David. And the basket.

Well, I'm leaving it anyway, says Pierre-Louis. I'll padlock it to this camouflage fencing. 

What is this camouflage fencing? asks Vello.

I'll have a look behind it, says David.

He goes to the edge of the fencing.

And comes back.

It's the Dart Blaster Arena, says David. 

Curses! says Vello. We were not told we would be directly in front of the Dart Blaster Arena.

Belle arrives with a huge bag of costumes.

What's up? Why are you looking like that?

This, says Vello, indicating the camouflage fencing, is the Dart Blaster Arena.

O what fun, says Belle. Terence and Hedley will love it.

It had better not be open this evening, says Vello.

I'm sure it won't be, says Belle. Where do you want these costumes?

Behind the black curtain, says Vello.

Belle dumps the costumes behind the black curtain.

Who's staying to look after our stuff?

We're staying until Gaius and the lads get here with the scenery, says Vello. Good, here they are now.

Gaius, Arthur and Sweezus arrive with the scenery and ladders, and the ready-made basket.

Props? asks Vello.

What props? asks Sweezus. Shit, where are the gold nuggets!

In my pocket, says Gaius. And Terence and Hedley will be along later with Hedley's mother. They'll be bringing two drink bottles filled with water.

For squirting? says Belle. Great idea!

And seeds, says Sweezus.

Seeds? says Vello. 

Yeah, if we give out seeds at the end, says Sweezus, it'll be kind of like a reminder of the message of Candide.

Optimism is foolish, says Vello.

Look after your garden, says Sweezus.

They are both lovely messages, sasys Belle. What seeds are they bringing?

Hedley's mother said she'd take care of it, says Sweezus.

Hum, says Vello. 

I have some dried beans at home, says Gaius. If you don't like what she brings I'll go and get them.

Go and get them anyway, says Vello.

I'll go, says Arthur.

He goes. 

He knows where Gaius's spare key is.

Hedley's mother arrives with Hedley and Terence.

The boys are excited, says Hedley's mother. They found out we're right next to the Dart Blaster Arena.

It's closed, says Vello.

But no sooner has he said it, than someone in a Dart Blaster tee shirt arrives, with a big box of Blasters.