Red Anything

Denis Diderot makes his way forward.

Terence follows.

Denis passes Gaius.

Terence stops.

He's going to the toilet, says Terence.

No need to announce it, says Gaius. 

Was that Denis Diderot? asks the neighbour.

Yes, says Gaius. No doubt he'll say hello on his way back.

Yes! says Terence. 

The drinks trolley approaches.

Tea, coffee, soft drinks, beer, red or white wine? asks the trolley attendant. 

Coffee, thanks, says Gaius.

A white wine, says the neighbour.

What about you? asks the trolley attendant looking at Terence.

Red anything, says Terence.

She hands him a red anything. 

What is it?

A strawberry drink in a red cardboard box, with a straw on the side.

Denis returns from the toilet.

He stops, his way blocked by the trolley.

Sorry sir, says the trolley attendant.

Hello Denis, says Gaius. I hope you haven't missed out on obtaining a beverage.

So do I, says Denis.

Are you sitting back that way? asks the trolley attendant.

I will be, says Denis Diderot.

Then you have missed out, says the trolley attendant. I'll be returning eventually, but not with the full range of options.

I'd like a white wine, says Denis. Any chance of me getting one before I return to my seat? 

Sorry sir, says the trolley attendant. That won't be possible

He can have mine, says the neighbour. And I'll order another. 

How kind, says Denis Diderot.

At last he has a good reason to look at the neighbour.

Alors! She looks just like Sophie Volland, an intellectually curious person he was once fond of.   

Same old-fashioned glasses.

He wonders if she has the same small dry hands.

He will soon have a chance to find out.