A fine day, although it rained earlier.
Belle has gone ahead to San Sebastian, to buy cakes.
She has left four musettes with the clown. She has also left Terence.
I can see that you are terrified, says the clown, but you need not be, look at my face and try to remember.
Terence looks at the clown's face.
It is white with a red painted mouth and familiar moustache.
Marcel Proot! says Terence.
Marcel Proust, says the clown
Terence is no longer terrified, but prepared to be bored.
Marcel, who always goes on about cakes he remembers, and things they remind him of.
Can I give out the food bags? asks Terence.
You are too low, says Marcel.
What if I stand on something? asks Terence.
Such as what? asks Marcel. Of course, one immediately thinks of a chair which unfortunately I did not pre-conceive the need for, nor even a stool, which would have been more convenient being smaller, but how about you stand on this BOX!
Marcel produces a box out of nowhere.
(not really nowhere, it's a clown trick, one of many which Marcel has been studying)
Okay, says Terence.
Marcel lifts Terence onto the box. It is not very stable.
He hands Terence the musettes.
Just in time too.
Sweezus is passing.
Not him! cautions Marcel. These musettes are for Team Philosophe.
What a pity. Sweezus was about to catch up with the breakaway of Powless, Boassen Hagen and Cavagna.
But to do it he needed some fuel.
We could have given him water, says Marcel.
Too late now, says Terence.
Here comes Ranger Roger.
Can he have some water? asks Terence.
If he wants it, says Marcel holding out the giant clown bottle of funny water.
Wisely, Ranger Roger does not accept it.
Team Philosphe trundles by, eventually.
Terence hands out the musettes.
Excellent work Terence! shouts Vello, grabbing the first one.
I see you've lost your fear of clowns! shouts Gaius, grabbing the second.
A Frenchman rides past, from Team Cofidis.
Funny water? shouts Marcel.
Non merci! shouts the Frenchman.
Good choice, Victor Lafay.
He has his own water, and snacks too. He continues towards San Sebastian.
He passes the breakaway, and he passes Pog and Vingo, who have passed the breakaway too.
So, strictly speaking, it was no longer a breakaway
But who cares? Let's follow the Frenchman.
Wheee!
A French guy always wins in San Sebastian.
That's what they say.
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