She Does Not Go

Now, if there are no more questions.... says Vello.

I've got a question for Candide, calls an audience member.

Denis hobbles forward.

What is your question? asks Denis.

How did you injure your ankle? asks the audience member.

I fell off the desk during rehearsals, says Denis.

Aren't you too old to play Candide? asks the audience member.

Hence the red knitted beanie, says Denis.

Young people don't go round in red knitted beanies, says the audience member.

I beg to differ, says Denis.

And they don't fall of desks and injure their ankles, says the audience member.

Crash! 

Terence has just fallen off one of the desks at the back of the stage.

And it wasn't his fault. Gaius has misjudged the length of the mechanical grabber in attempting to restrain him.

Wah! cries Terence.

There, you see, says Denis. A young person is just as likely to fall off a desk as an older one.

Wah! cries Terence, again.

Terence, says Vello, will you help our sailor to give out the seeds?

Sniff! sniffs Terence.

But yes, he wants to. 

Please remain seated while the sailor and Terence go to the exit, says Vello. And may your seeds flourish in your respective gardens, and remind you of what is important.

The audience claps in their seats.

Arthur and Terence have already made their way to the exit.

The audience members form a queue.

The seeds have been tipped into a bowl.

Terence has been given a teaspoon.

What are we supposed to carry our seeds in? asks the first person.

Up to you, says Arthur. 

Terence dips his teaspoon into the bowl.

The first person holds out their hand.

Terence tips the contents of the teaspoon into it.

Thank you dear, says the first person.

But she does not go.