Representations

So Arthur recites his unsuitable poem: Climbing the Hill.

Hot knees pounding, heat grinding sinews to sludge.....

and so on

The audience loves it. 

Yes!

The Tour Down Under! How hot it was then. And wasn't he one of the riders?

Any questions for the sailor? asks Vello.

Were you in the Tour Down Under? asks a friend of Hedley's mother.

Most of us were, says the sailor.

Including myself, says Vello.

And when do we get the free seeds? asks someone from Bunnings.

You have spoilt the surprise, says Vello. For that you must stay till the end. Are there any more questions?

Terence has been waiting for someone to ask him a question.

Yes, says Terence. 

The audience laughs.

I have one, says someone. If the Anabaptist gave the florin to Candide, how come the Anabaptist still had the florin?

So everyone could see the potatoes, says Terence.

But Candide should have had it, says the person who asked the question.

He spent it, says Terence.

So he used it to buy something from the Anabaptist? says the person. 

Why? asks Terence.

Because the Anabaptist got it back, says the person.

Yes, says Terence. That's why I was dancing.

Sweezus steps forward, thinking a further explanation is needed.

The Anabaptist is rich, and the florin represents all of his florins, says Sweezus.

So he gave them all to Candide, says the person.

No, says Sweezus. Just a couple. 

So he didn't get them back, says the person.

We only have a limited number of actors, says Sweezus.

Fair enough, says the person. Can I ask another question?

No, says Vello. Has anyone else got a question?

What about the potatoes? yells someone.

Terence can answer that one, says Vello. Can't you Terence?

I could if I knew the question, says Terence.

Why were there two weeping potatoes on the back of the florin? asks the person.

They got wet, says Terence. 

But why potatoes? persists the questionner.

I think the questionner means what do the potatoes represent, if anything, says Vello.

Oh, says Terence.