Anty Master

Early next morning, in the office.

A second rehearsal.

Belle is painting a fleur de lys on a circle of cardboard.

Is that for the florin costume? asks David.

Yes, says Belle. This is the front. I'm leaving the back blank, so that Terence can draw the potato.

Terence is watching Sweezus who is typing.

Nearly done, says Sweezus.

Are they your lines? asks Terence.

No little buddy, says Sweezus. They're your lines.

Florins dont TALK, says Terence.

It's a play, so the florin can talk, says Sweezus.

Do YOU talk? asks Terence.

No, says Sweezus. How bad would it look if James the Anabaptist started boasting?

About what? asks Terence.

How generous and kind he is, says Sweezus. That's why the florin should say it.

Will I get more lines than Hedley? asks Terence.

That depends, says Sweezus.

Okay, says Terence. What do I say?

Right, says Sweezus. I'm standing here and you're standing next to me. You say Greetings audience, I am a florin and this is James the Anabaptist my generous master.

That's a long line, says Terence.

You could leave out Greetings audience, says Sweezus.

It's still long, says Terence.

Try it, says Sweezus. I am a florin and this is James the generous Anty Master, says Terence.

Close, says Sweezus. Next you say: He gave me to Candide when he was down and out and no one else would help him.

So why am I with you? asks Terence.

Because this is a prequel, says Sweezus. It hasn't happened yet.

So how do I know about it? asks Terence.

Can you just say it? asks Sweezus. If it's too long I'll cut it.

What was it? asks Terence.

He gave me to Candide, when he was down and out and no one else would help him, says Sweezus.

Hedley comes in with his mother

You're late, says Vello.

Sorry, says Hedley's mother. Hedley couldn't find his school tie.

Did he find it? asks Belle. It might make a quirky addition to his costume.

I don't think Hedley's school would like that, says Hedley's mother.

Guess what? asks Terence. I've got two long lines.

How come? asks Hedley.

Because James the Anty can't boast, so I have to boast for him, says Terence.

Hedley looks at the lines on Sweezus's screen.

He gave me to Candide when he was down and out and no one else would help him, reads Hedley.

Good one, Hedley, says Sweezus. You sound just like a florin.

Terence, the real florin, is mad.