Vello comes on again.
Dinner in the ruins, says Vello.
Both of the desks are now upright.
Several figures appear round the makeshift table.
Candide, Pangloss, a stranger in a dark cloak, two citizens in rags, and two smaller people.
The smaller people are wearing oversize jumpers and beanies.
One wears yellow socks.
That's the florin! whispers an audience member to her companion. I remember those socks.
The characters on stage are eating sadly.
Cheer up citizens, says Pangloss. Things could not be otherwise than they are. So everything that happens must be for the best.
The stranger in the dark cloak stops eating.
It appears, sir, that you do not believe in original sin. For if all is for the best there can be no such thing as the Fall of Man and Eternal Punishment.
Now? says the smaller person in the yellow socks.
Not yet, says the stranger.
I beg your Excellency's pardon, says Pangloss, but I must point out that the fall of Man and Eternal Punishment are of Necessity part of the best of all possible worlds.
Now, says the stranger.
The smaller person in the yellow socks extracts a mechanical grabber from under his jumper.
He uses the grabber to lift up a jug.
The stranger holds a glass out.
Then you do not believe in Free Will, sir, says the stranger.
Excuse me, says Pangloss. Free Will is consistent with Absolute Necessity. For the Will that is Determined.....
The stranger nods at Yellow Socks.
Yellow Socks stops pouring.
He opens the grabber. The jug falls to the desk.
Lucky there was nothing in it.
Yellow Socks grabs Pangloss's wrist with the grabber.
Pangloss stands up.
Yellow socks wasn't ready. He has let go of his end of the grabber.
Pangloss hands the end back to Yellow Socks.
Thank you, says Yellow Socks.
He leads Pangloss away.
The stranger looks at Candide.
You too, says the stranger.
I haven't said anything, says Candide.
You have listened with an air of approval, says the stranger.
The stranger leads Candide away.
The remainder of the diners continue to eat sadly.
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