A Confident So

Terence knocks on the door.

Katherine opens, in floral pyjamas.

You're bright and early! says Katherine.

Where's Greedy? asks Terence. 

Come in, says Katherine. 

Terence goes in.

Are you looking for Greedy? asks Nerida.

Yes, says Terence. She might have got fixed by Gaius's brain.

That is unlikely, says Katherine.

Nerida fetches Greedy, who is in poor condition, deflated and holey.

Doesn't matter, says Terence. Now we know what to do.

What? asks Nerida.

Put a new glove inside her, says Terence. The cleaner was going to, but Gaius says cleaners don't do it.

No, they don't, says Katherine. They discard old gloves and use new ones.

But it would work for Greedy, says Nerida. 

We'll buy a pair of rubber gloves before picking up Arthur, says Katherine.

Yay! says Terence. Can I take Greedy back to my room and show her to Freddy?

Of course, says Katherine. Just don't leave her behind when we go.

Terence goes out, with poor drooping Greedy.

Terence loves Greedy, says Nerida.

And Freddy, says Katherine. Let's hope there'll be no complications.

No MORE complications, says Nerida.

....

Back in Gaius's room, Terence shows Greedy to Freddy.

Look, says Terence. Greedy's flat now, but she's getting new insides. 

So! says Freddy.

What? says Terence.

Was that Freddy speaking? asks Gaius. Did I hear Freddy say so?

Say it again, says Terence.

Did I hear Freddy say so? repeats Gaius. 

Not you, him, says Terence.

So! says Freddy with more confidence.

He learned a new word! says Terence.

I wonder what he meant by it, says Gaius. What had you just said to him?

Greedy is getting new insides, says Terence.

So! says Gaius. Obviously Freddy has made a connection.

What is it? asks Terence.

Ask him, says Gaius. I really ought to start packing.

Okay, says Terence. What's the connection?

Freddy thinks hard. The connection. What is it?

Connection, says Freddy.

He knows! says Terence. 

Greedy is listening. If only she had new insides!

She would put a bomb under slow-witted Freddy.