Free And Determined

You need to pour it more slowly, says Gaius.

He didn't give me a signal, says Terence.

I did, says Baby Pierre.

What was it? asks Terence.

This, says Baby Pierre.

He winks at Terence.

You're meant to nod, says Terence.

How can he nod? asks Denis. He's a pebble.

I can do anything, says Baby Pierre.

You can't nod if you don't have a neck, says Gaius.

Anything I want to, says Baby Pierre.

Okay, wink, says Terence. Now I know the signal.

Shall we do it again? asks Baby Pierre.

When I've mopped up the spilt water, says Gaius.

I'll do it, says Denis. You say your lines.

For the Will that is Determined, says Gaius.

Baby Pierre winks at Terence.

I hadn't started pouring, says Terence.

Start now, says Gaius, and I'll say my lines again.

For the Will that is Determined.

What does that mean? asks Baby Pierre.

Nothing on its own, says Gaius. But its part of Dr Pangloss's explanation of why he believes in a form of free will that is determined.

By who? asks Baby Pierre.

Shut up, says Terence. Why do you care?

I'm a free thinker, says Baby Pierre.

Just give me the signal, says Terence.

Baby Pierre winks at Terence.

Too late, says Terence. I ran out of water.

Never mind, says Gaius. My glass is half full. It's now that you seize me.

My favourite part! says Terence.

Pity we don't have the mechnical grabber, says Denis.

I may have some tongs in the gadget drawer, says Gaius.

He puts his half full glass down, and looks.

Yes. Here, Terence. Squeeze this end and the tongs close up. Have a practice.

Terence squeezes the end of the tongs.

They open, close, open.

Try grabbing something, says Denis.

Terence knows he means something inanimate.

But he doesn't care. 

He closes the tongs around Baby Pierre.