The Serious Side

Gaius and Denis Diderot are on the flight to Dubai.

Denis Diderot bought his ticket at the last minute.

So he is not sitting with Gaius

Belle is on the flight too. A few seats away.

And where is Terence?

Terence started off in Gaius's back pack, but was allowed out when the backpack had to be placed in the overhead locker.

Where is everybody? asks Terence.

Belle is a few seats away, says Gaius. If you stand on my knee you'll see the top of her head there.

Yes. Terence can see her.

And where's Denis Diddelo? asks Terence.

Back that way, on the other side of the aisle, says Gaius.

Terence turns to look. 

How will we talk to each other? asks Terence.

As we normally do, says Gaius. Have you something to ask me?

I just asked you, says Terence, sitting down.

Ouch! Be careful, says Gaius.

Would it help if we lifted the arm rest? asks Gaius's neighbour.

Very kind of you to offer, says Gaius.

The neighbour presses a button, lifting the arm rest.

Terence slides into the gap.

Yikes! says Terence.

What is it? asks Gaius.

I'm stuck, says Terence.

No you're not, says Gaius. You're just wedged, which is different

And you didn't answer my question, says Terence. 

Which was? asks Gaius.

How will we talk to each other? asks Terence.

Ah! says Gaius. You were referring to ourselves, Belle and Denis Diderot. The answer is, we can't do it.

I could run between us with messages, says Terence.

Did I hear you mention Denis Diderot? asks the neighbour.

You did, says Gaius. 

The one who rode in Team Philosophe? The one who wore the chicken mask? continues the neighbour.

The very same, says Gaius. But he does have a serious side.

I'm sure, says the neighbour. I bet all the riders have serious sides, unknown to their fans. Families and that sort of thing. Or they may be single.

What's single? asks Terence.

Without a partner, says the neighbour. But Denis Diderot probably has a girlfriend

To be honest I have no idea, says Gaius. Although I seem to recall he had a clever sister. Her name was Denise.

De-knees, laughs Terence.

But is he married? asks the neighbour.

Gaius suspects the neighbour may be hoping for an introduction, if Denis Diderot is not married.

Why not look him up on Wikipedia, says Gaius.

Why don't I go and ask him? asks Terence. I'll be the message guy.

If you do, says the neighbour, don't say who was asking.

Who was asking? asks Terence.

Me, says the neighbour.

I'll say Gaius was asking, says Terence.

No don't say I was asking, says Gaius.

Just bring it up in conversation, says the neighbour.

Okay, says Terence wriggling to get himself out of the gap.

But it turns out he was right.

He is stuck.