Flukes Of Perception

What's that clicking? asks Gaius.

What happened to the bolster? asks Kant.

It seems they have woken.

And Sweezus was never asleep.

It's me, says Terence. I forgot to be quiet. 

He slows the bolster to a gentle trot and stops clicking.

Kant sits up.

So does Gaius.

We need that bolster between us in order to sleep, says Gaius. Give it back, Terence. You've had a good ride.

Terence dismounts from the bolster and attempts to lift it onto the four poster bed.

Which is harder than pulling it off.

If it was a real horse it would jump, says Terence.

But it's not a real horse, says Sweezus. 

This place is full of not real horses, says Terence.

Where is there another one ? asks Gaius.

Mrs Hill said there was a clothes horse somewhere, says Sweezus.

Can I go and find it? asks Terence.

Not on your own, says Sweezus. But seeing I'm awake I'll come with you. We'll see how Arthur's going.

Excellent, says Gaius, rearranging the bolster.

Sweezus and Terence go out.

Kant and Gaius lie down either side of the bolster.

No one hums, but they soon drift into pre-slumber reveries.

Gaius'e reverie is as follows: It is morning, but Sweezus and Terence and Arthur are gone. He and Kant share a bowl of cooked mussels for breakfast and become indisposed. A tasseled night cap leads them to the infirmary......

Kant's reverie is a resumption of the puzzle of Mrs Hill. Why was she insubstantial? Could it be a mismatch of time and space? A fluke of perception? The evolution of a new type of being? Perhaps she was. Not that one could see any use for her talents.....

Soon they are snoring.

Sweezus and Terence have reached the car park in front of the hotel.

There's the car, says Sweezus. 

They go up to it and Sweezus peers through the window.

Arthur is asleep on the back seat, with his knees up.

He looks okay, says Sweezus. Let's go and look for that clothes horse.

Yes! Terence and Sweezus are going to look for a clothes horse. 

In the dark! 

This is Terence's best night ever.