Duck And Swoosh

Vello, David and Pierre-Louis are lingering over their pastries.

Cwaca is pecking at crumbs.

These are delicious, says Cwaca.

Delicious, says David. But expensive.

He has just googled the exchange rate.

Come on, says Vello. What are we up for?

Fifty five Australian dollars, says David. And that's just for the tea.

I shouldn't have ordered Silver Needle, says Vello. What about the pastries?

Twice as much again, says David. Shall we split it?

Wait for Gaius, says Vello. He ought to put in.

He didn't have pastries, says Pierre-Louis.

His bird did, says David.

Hey! says Cwaca. I only ate crumbs.

Is that what you call those great chunks that you pilfered? asks David.

Come on, says Vello. We needn't blame Terence's duck.

Coach, says Cwaca. That's what I'm employed as.

Then you  should have gone with him to the shoe shop, says David.

And I identify now as a parrot, says Cwaca. Just so you know.

We know, says Vello. It's just hard to get used to when you look so duckish.

A waiter comes up.

How were your tea and pastries, gentlemen? 

Very nice, says Vello. If a bit pricey. Tell me what do you think of this...duck?

Steady on, says David.

It should not be on the table, says the waiter, stacking tea cups. Is it your duck?

NO! says Cwaca. I am no one's duck.

The waiter is alarmed.

Perhaps a stray duck has made it's way into Harrod's Tea Rooms. Such things happen.

The waiter tries to remember the protocol.

Is it like....with flies? You capture the fly in an upturned water glass, having first tipped out the water. You slide a Harrod's Tea Rooms Menu underneath it. Then you lift the trapped fly and remove it to the kitchen, where the chef deals with it. Or an underling, yes an underling, not the chef...But this is a duck, what vessel would be large enough to contain it?

Excuse me gentlemen, says the waiter, retreating to the kitchen to ask the chef what to do.

It is at this juncture that Terence returns with Gaius and a new pair of shoes.

Nice shoes! says Vello. 

Nike, says Gaius. Only a hundred and twenty riyals. I imagine that's peanuts.

They've got a swoosh, says Terence, lifting his feet one by one to display the cool Nike swoosh.