The Apple Stayed In

Without a tres, says Vello. That is very witty. 

I knew you'd like it, says Hedley's mother. 

Can we get out of the box yet? asks Hedley.

Yes, of course, says Hedley's mother. After this you'll need some hydration.

I need some hydration, says Terence.

Hedley's mother lifts the red sheep's head from Terence and Hedley.

Then she lifts both of them out.

She gives Hedley a drink bottle with his name on it: HEDLEY.

What's in it? asks Terence.

Water, says Hedley. That's all I'm allowed.

Here, Terence, says Belle. Have a Ribena.

Do you know how much sugar is in a Ribena? asks Hedley's mother.

A lot, says Belle. But it won't affect him. 

I had an apple once, says Terence. And it stayed in me.

Oh, says Hedley's mother.

Enough of this digestive nonsense, says Vello. Where's Pierre-Louis? We're about to rehearse the king's banquet.

Are we in it? asks Terence.

Why would sheep be at a banquet? asks Vello.

On the menu, says Hedley.

Hedley! says Hedley's mother.

It's a reasonable answer, says Vello. But there are no sheep at the table. Only the king, Candide, Cacambo and several court ladies.

We could be them, says Terence.

I'm not wearing a dress, says Hedley.

We'd be tied up, says Terence. 

Court ladies, not caught ladies, says Belle. Although I suppose there may not have been all that much difference.

What this play needs, says Hedley's mother, is real ladies, not boys in disguise.

Yes, says Belle. You and I could be court ladies.

But I've never acted, says Hedley's mother. 

Oh, come on, says Belle. It'll be fun. You won't have to say anything, just laugh at the witticisms.

Which I provided, says Hedley's mother.

So how about it? says Belle.

Vello foresees trouble. However, it's always good to have ladies. 

And he has other problems. Pierre-Louis has not yet turned up, and will not know his lines.

Arthur, says Vello. Would you play the king temporarily?

Sure, says Arthur. 

How about we use the extra panel as a table? asks Belle. We could balance it between two of the ladders.

I'll help, says Terence.

Me too, says Hedley.

It's nice that they both want to help,

And it doesn't really matter that the banquet table ends up not horizontal.