The Devil Laughs

What was that sound? asks a friend of Hedley's mother.

Never mind, says Belle. I'm on the bicycle now. Ask me a philosophical question.

She looks around at the audience.

Who will ask a philosophical question?

No hands go up.

What's a sofical question? asks Terence.

Not that, says Hedley.

A philosophical question is one that makes you think about the answer, says Belle. Such as, why are we here?

Why are we here? asks Dart Blaster guy.

You're here because you finished work at the Dart Blaster arena, says Belle, and have nothing better to do.

Not bad, says Dart Blaster guy. But what's the big answer?

Let me consult the bicycle, says Belle.

She lifts her skirt a little.

The same sound occurs.

Halfway between a groan and a sigh.

Dear old Schopenhauer, says Belle. He really doesn't like me sitting on his San Marco saddle. 

Does he have an answer? asks Hedley's mother.

He thinks I should get off, says Belle. What do you think, everyone?

Stay on, shout the friends of Hedley's mother.

Okay, says Belle. Give me another question.

Answer the first question, says Hedley's mother.

Suffering, says Belle. It's a depressing answer, I know.

So what's the solution? asks one of the two people who bought a ticket to Pierre-Louis's show.

Pierre-Louis is delighted. But will Belle be able to answer?

Belle lifts her skirt again.

Escape from the act of willing, says Belle.

Ha ha, laughs Terence.

Terence says Belle. What is it you think I just said?

Escape from the act of the willy, says Terence.

Your ears need looking at, says Belle.

The audience laughs. 

But, says Belle. Terence has inadvertently come up with something Schopenhauerian.

The audience looks sceptical.

After the act of copulation, the devil laughs, says Belle.

Hedley's mother looks at Hedley to see if he's listening. But Hedley is licking his fingers.

Schopenhauer believed that, says Belle. I'll leave you to think about it.

She gets off the bike, and goes back to her seat between Terence, and Hedley's mother

That was good, says Terence.

You nailed it, says Hedley's mother.

We all did, says Belle.