The Final Surprise

Team Condor and Team Philosophe are eating savoury crepes in a cafe.

Another Tour de France over, says Vello.

Yeah, says Sweezus. Now we can relax.

But not for long, says Vello. Not you anyway.

Why what's up? asks Sweezus. 

I'm going to take a little holiday, says Vello.

All right for some, says Denis Diderot.

I'm sure you can afford a holiday, says Vello.

No one reads my encyclopedia these days, says Denis.

I do, says Gaius.

Apart from you, says Denis. And I must make a living.

Tap tap!

Saint Roley is outside the cafe, looking in.

Can Saint Roley come in? asks Terence.

I'll go and get him, says Belle.

She goes out to escort Saint Roley back to their table.

Did you get my new finger? asks Terence.

I did, says Saint Roley. This one has a new battery.

Yay! says Terence. How long will it go for?

It should last till you get back to Adelaide, says Saint Roley.

Then what? asks Terence.

Roo-kai might have found your old claw, says Saint Roley.

Terence loves his glowing finger, says Belle.

But it is unsustainable, says Saint Roley.

It was in Gaius's poem, in his language, says Terence. 

Did he win? asks Saint Roley.

We don't know yet, says David. We haven't heard Sweezus's poem, or Arthur's.

Who's judging? asks Saint Roley.

How about you do it, says Sweezus.

Okay, says Saint Roley. 

More crepes anyone? asks David.

Yes, please!  David summons a waiter.

Crepes au chocolat pour tout le monde, says David. 

Oui, bien sur, says the waiter.

I'll go first says Sweezus. My poem's called The Final Surprise.

He continues: 

Moules frites, potjevleesch/  potted meat with fries/ cabbage soup with chicken/ octopus pies/ fricadelles, raclettes/ savoy cake that flies/ into the skies/ as a final surprise.

I like it, says Saint Roley. Especially the moules and the flies.

Flies is a verb, says Sweezus. The CAKE flies.

Even better, says Saint Roley.

Arthur realises he has little chance of winning the poetry competition.