At The Loose End

Coffee anyone? asks Denis Diderot.

Why not, sys Vello. This may be our last meeting for quite some time.

Indeed, says Gaius. Mine's an espresso.

Denis calls a waiter and orders the coffees. 

What can I have? asks Terence.

You've already had chocolate curls, says Belle.

They're not going anywhere, says Terence.

He shows her his tongue.

She frowns. She should have realised that the chocolate curls would remain there.

Okay, says Belle. A red drink should fix it.

She calls the waiter.

Un jus de cassis, s'il vous plait, says Belle.

Oui, bien sur, says the waiter.

Plans, Denis? asks Vello.

Not at present. I'm at a loose end, says Denis Diderot.

Which end is loose? asks Terence.

This end, says Denis. Which is the present. What I mean is, I'm open to suggestions.

You could always come to Ferney with David and me, says Vello. But it may not suit you.

Why not? asks Denis Diderot.

Last time we visited Vello's old chateau we had to break in, says David.

Why was that? asks Denis Diderot.

It's open to the public says Vello. And they lock it at night.

You should let them know you're coming, says Belle.

Where's the fun in that? says Vello. There'd be endless formalities.

Denis does not like the sound of breaking into Vello's old chateau, or the alternative, an announced arrival with endless formalities, and himself as hanger-on. Non merci.

Do you have plans, Sweezus? asks Denis.

Me and Arthur are going to Marseille, says Sweezus.

Are you? says Vello. How long for?

Just a couple of days, says Sweezus.

Someone needs to be in the office, says Vello.

You know he could do it from Marseille? says Belle. It's an online magazine so why does Sweezie even need to be in the office?

Yeah, says Sweezus. I could do it like, in the evenings.

Vello looks doubtful. 

What about you Gaius? asks Denis Diderot.

The algal bloom beckons, says Gaius. 

That sounds intriguing, says Denis Diderot.

It's a natural disaster in South Australian waters, says Gaius. It's killing the marine life.

Nasty, says Denis Diderot. Has anyone tried vinegar?

One would need a great deal of vinegar, says Gaius. 

I was joking, says Denis Diderot.

Oh, I see, says Gaius. But it's not funny for the marine life. I hear the sepia apama might be affected.

The giant cuttlefish in the Upper Spencer Gulf? says Denis Diderot.

Impressive, that you should know, says Gaius.

Comes from writing an encyclopedia, says Denis Diderot.

Gaius wonders if Denis might like to accompany him to Whyalla.

Denis wonders if Gaius is going to ask him.