Too Long Considering

The orange rises to just below the tasseled night cap.

And stops, and starts peeling itself.

It may seem impolite, but Kant can't stop watching.

The peelings land neatly on the white kitchen table.

The orange divides itself in two, and one half drops onto the table.

A segment peels off the other half, and rises slowly.

Now where will it go?

Are you intending to watch me eat this? asks the tasseled night cap.

The orange segment wags back and forth.

Forgive me, says Kant. 

He turns away, and misses what happens.

Another glass of wine? asks Gaius.

Why not? says Kant. This a most unusual evening. 

Gaius pours him a small glass.

I too was curious, says Gaius.

Were you watchng? asks Kant.

From a distance, says Gaius. 

What did you see? asks Kant.

It disappeared immediately , says Gaius. I was half expecting to watch it go down.

How far? asks Kant. 

That I did not know, says Gaius. It depended on how substantial Mrs Hill was.

She appears to be non-substantial, says Kant. But at the same time, she cannot be, if the orange segment disappeared the moment it entered her orifice.

He turns to look again at the tasseled nightcap.

Ouch!

He is hit in the eye.

Gaius bends down to pick up what it was that hit Kant in the eye..

An orange pip! says Gaius.

The tasseled night cap bobs nearer.

Forgive me, laughs the tasseled night cap. I couldn't resist it. I do have excellent hearing.

And a fine spitting distance, says Gaius.

Unfortunately for me, says Kant. It makes me wish you'd accepted a chocolate.

I try to do without chocolates, says the tasseled night cap. I have lately become somewhat stout.

Surely not, madam! says Kant. One cannot perceive it.

Nice of you to say so, says the tasseled night cap.

Are you buttering my wife up? asks old Phillip, coming over.

He was paying me a compliment, says the tasseled night cap.

Oho! A ladies' man! says old Phillip.

Hardly, says Kant. I am generally slow with the ladies.

That can have its enjoyments, says the tasseled night cap.

Alas, says Kant. Though I twice considered it, I've never married.

Too long considering? asks Gaius.

Too long considering, says Kant.