There's Always Me

Back at Gaius's house, Henriette is talking to Ageless. who is no longer moulting.

They should be here soon, says Henriette. Denis sent me a text.

Is he bringing my hat? asks Ageless. 

Looks like it, says Henriette. He sent me a photo.

She shows Ageless the photo.

In it, Denis wears Ageless's hat.

He's playing Candide, says Henriette. Belle thinks it makes him look younger.

Younger! scoffs Ageless.

But it does, says Henriette. Don't you think so?

By hiding his bald patch, says Ageless. Anyone would look younger. Even me.

I'd pay money to see that, says Henriette.

What? asks Ageless.

You as Candide, says Henriette.

The front door opens. 

Terence runs in, followed by Gaius and Denis.

Guess what! cries Terence. I've got two parts.

Snap, says Ageless.

What does that mean? asks Terence.

He means he's stopped moulting, says Henriette. His other parts are in the bucket.

Excellent, says Gaius. You're looking good, Ageless. Isn't he, Denis?

Positively gleaming, says Denis.

I'm still a bit tender, says Ageless. I'd appreciate the return of my hat.

Certainly, says Denis, but I've been cast as Candide, and the hat's to be part of my costume.

My hat! says Ageless.

Which I made, says Denis.

Make another one, says Ageless.

I suppose I could, says Denis.

Of course you could, says Henriette. And then there'd be two hats, and Ageless could act as your understudy in case anything happens.

What might happen? asks Terence.

Denis might have an accident, says Henriette.

And I could take over, says Ageless. I know all the lines. The Day of Judgement has come! Nothing is more likely! Oil and wine, for pity's sake! and so on...

Impressive, says Gaius. But you do have problem, being a lobster.

I have no problem being a lobster, says Ageless.

Like me, says Terence, I have no problem being a florin.

Are you a florin? asks Henriette. Is that one of your parts? How amazing!

I'm having a flower on the front and a potato on the back, says Terence. And yellow socks and gold hair in case my curls are showing.

And your other part? asks Henriette.

Hingeman, says Terence.

Henchman, says Gaius. His job is to stop pouring wine, at a certain signal, and seize me.

With a grabber, says Terence.

A mechanical grabber, says Gaius. Belle thinks there's one in the prop box.

And if there isn't, there's always me..., says Ageless, waving his dominant claw.