Nautical Effects

Next morning  in the office, a final rehearsal.

Hedley is there with his mother.

He is trying on his costume.

A kilt with a safety pin. A school tie.

Can we rehearse Hedley's scene first? asks Hedley's mother. He has a maths test first lesson.

No, says Vello. We'll run through the whole thing in sequence. The prequel comes first.

Terence is already in his florin costume and yellow socks.

Sweezus wears a plain garment.

And...go! says Vello.

I am a florin, says Terence and this is James the Anty-Baptist.

Stop! says Vello. ANA-Baptist!

Hedley's mother looks at her watch.

All right, says Vello. Let it go. Do your dance, Terence.

Terence does his dance, turning slowly to display the two saintly potatoes.

And he gave me to Candide when he was down and out! sings Terence.

Anabaptist! Expression! says Vello.

Sweezus adopts a philanthropical expression.  

Excellent, says Vello. 

Now is it Hedley's scene? asks Hedley's mother.

No madam, says Vello. Shipwreck scene first.

The two desks are moved together.

Sweezus, Gaius, Denis and Arthur climb on.

Arthur falls overboard and dangles.

Sweezus helps him back on, and falls in himself.

Denis watches as Sweezus rolls away.

Candide! Expression! shouts Vello.

Denis adopts the suppressing-a-fart expression.

Excellent! says Vello. 

Gaius begins to explain that what has happened is all for the best.

Split the deck! shouts Vello.

Sweezus rolls behind the desks and pushes one desk away from the other.

Denis falls off his desk prematurely.

Never mind, says Vello. Now the rest of you!

Arthur and Gaius fall in.

Great! says Vello. 

Yes, that was fantastic! says Belle. Are you okay, Denis?

No, says Denis. I've injured my ankle.

For goodness sake, says Hedley's mother. Not another hold-up!

No, says Vello. Belle will see to Denis's ankle. Arthur and Hedley, ready?

Hello lovely, says Arthur.

Hello sailor, says Hedley.

Do you like poetry? asks Arthur.

No, yes, maybe, says Hedley.

Hedley's mother looks again at her watch.

Arthur drapes his arm over Hedley's shoulder.

It is an ancient mariner, says Arthur, And he stoppeth one of three.....

Vello glances at Hedley's mother to gauge the effect of the Coleridge.

Nice touch! says Hedley's mother.