Prescience Of Feathers

Six o'clock in the evening. 

Time for the second rehearsal.

Sweezus and Arthur carry the scientific machine up the stairs.

What's this, a blue basket? asks Vello.

The rest's coming, says Sweezus. 

He and Arthur go back down the stairs and return with the four painted panels, folded and held together by hinges.

They stand these up.

Mountains, says Sweezus, painted by Terence.

I see, says Vello. Simple concept. Brown mountains. And a cerulean sky.

Wait a tick, says Sweezus.

It's upside down, says Arthur.

They make the adjustment

So the mountains are blue, and the sky's brown, says David. Is there a reason?

Yeah, says Sweezus. 

He is about to explain it when Gaius enters with Terence, and the rope, painted blue, and the pulley.

How do you like it? asks Gaius. It was Terence's idea.

I don't understand it, says Vello.

Terence can explain it, says Sweezus.

Me and Hedley go up in the basket and no one can see us, says Terence. And the grownups go up on a 

ladder.

What ladder? asks Vello. I don't see a ladder.

There are three, says Gaius. Lu Ban thought of everything. But they are downstairs. I'll just go and get them.

So, says Vello, Candide and Cacambo go up a ladder. They are visible, but the two large red sheep are not. How is that to be understood by the audience?

We wear blue clothes, says Sweezus. So actually we're all invisible, until we get near the top. Then we show up against the brown sky. We turn around and show ourselves before disappearing over the top of the scenery.

Down another ladder? says Vello.

Yeah, I guess so, says Sweezus.

I must get this straight, says David, because I'm playing Cacambo. I climb up the ladder in blue clothes. Where did I get them?

Yes, where did he get them? asks Vello.

Gift from the king of Eldorado, says Arthur. Cloaks made of hummingbird feathers. Remember?

What a genius I keep proving to be, says Vello. 

He is pleased. He had forgotten the cloaks made of hummingbird feathers. He must get Belle onto making them, asap.

But David is still picturing the action.

I get to the top of the ladder, and then what?

Turn around and wave, says Terence. And the sheep wave. Then we all get pulled over the top of the sky.

But Candide and I are not in the basket, says David. 

Wait for Hedley and me to get out, says Terence. Then you get in. Then you go. Then Sweezus gets in Then he goes, And everyone's over!

It is perfectly clear in his mind.

Not so clear in David's. 

David looks at Vello.

But Vello is busy congratulating himself on his prescience, regarding the hummingbird feathers.