Where are we going? asks Gaius.
The Moulin de la Galette, says Océane. An appropriate place for a climate meeting.
Why is that? asks Gaius.
Yes, why is that? asks Carl Linnaeus.
Wind power, says Océane. It's a famous old windmill, now a bistro.
And does it still run on wind power? asks Gaius.
I have no idea, says Océane. But what does it matter? It's the symbolism of it.
I'm all for that, says Carl Linnaeus, patting his drum.
In a few minutes they arrive at the Moulin de la Galette. It is teeming with tourists, drinking aperitifs and coffee, and clattering their cake spoons.
Océane guides them to a semi quiet corner.
Ah! Here are the others.
At a table in the semi quiet corner, sit three persons.
One is David Suzuki. The second is Hui Zhong, the third is Mai-Mai, her cute little daughter.
Hello everyone, says Océane. Do we need introductions? Or does our fame precede us?
I know Carl Linnaeus, says David Suzuki. The Pliny of the North. Who doesn't?
Surely you also know Gaius Plinius Secundus, says Océane. The original Pliny.
Forgive me, says David Suzuki. But no. However, I am hon.....
I know him, says Hui Zhong. Hello Gaius. You may not remember but we almost met in Beijing two years ago. Your fingers were stuck together with a particularly powerful ancient Roman glue. I and my colleague Xui Li suggested nail polish remover, or WD40. I assume at least one of them worked?
I remember the incident, says Gaius, but not you, I'm sorry.
You wouldn't, says Hui Zhong. I met Arthur, Sikong Shu and that very nice pilot.
Very nice pilot? says Gaius.
Richie Porte, says Hui Zhong. From Team Sky.
Richie no longer rides for Team Sky, says David Suzuki.
Is that so? says Gaius. Who does he ride for?
Team BMC, says David Suzuki. He thought he'd gone as far as he could with Team Sky.
A sound decision, says Gaius.
I thought so, says David Suzuki
Carl bangs his magical drum. Bong-bong-shut-up!
Quite right Carl, says Océane. The meeting proper must begin sometime. Shall I order drinks?
Mummy? says little Mai-Mai. Can I have a Wahaha?
I don't know if they have Wahaha here, says her mother.
What is it? asks Océane.
Fruit juice and milk, says Hui Zhong.
Oh, I'm sure they will make one, says Océane. What is her favourite fruit juice?
What is it, Mai-Mai? says Hui Zhong.
Lychee! says Mai-Mai, looking excited.
Oh she is so cute. But none of the ecologists notice. Even her own mother is more concerned with the pre-meeting meeting, which surely will start in a moment.
Saturday, November 7, 2015
Friday, November 6, 2015
The Will And The Metaphor
Arthur, Pablo and Dries are on their way to Gare du Nord to catch a train to the airport.
They are wheeling their bicycles on the footpath.
This is a cool bike, says Dries. I do not detect a peculiarity.
You're not on it yet, says Arthur.
Dries hops on, rides a few metres.
Gardez! snaps a grumpy Parisian pedestrian.
The pedestrian is aware that his Will has been thwarted, says Dries.
Arthur glances at Pablo.
It's starting already.
Dries hops off.
I don't know what made me say that, says Dries. It was quite intellectual.
Not your normal type of statement, says Pablo.
No. I'm normally happy go lucky, says Dries.
I am not happy go lucky, says Pablo.
No, a poet should not be, says Dries.
What do you do? asks Pablo.
I'm a trauma counsellor, says Dries.
Counsel me, says Pablo.
What for? asks Dries. Have you recently been in a war zone?
No, says Pablo. But I was gutted when Océane, whom I love madly, said that we three should push off, as if I was of no importance.
You are well out of it, says Dries. She's a strange one. Always wears a blue raincoat.
A green dress with cream spots, says Pablo,
And drinks yellow sports drinks, says Arthur.
Carelessly, says Pablo.
And she doesn't admit it, says Dries. Believe me. I've been there.
Have you? says Arthur. Is this your trauma counselling technique?
No, says Dries. She is my cousin. She never admits anything.
She admitted me, says Pablo gloomily.
Only once, says Dries.
How does he know that?
Luckily, they are now at the station, and must attend to buying their tickets.
........
Océane, Gaius and Carl Linnaeus are walking to the hotel Montmartre-St Pierre, which is just round the corner.
It is good you have ditched your bicycle, says Océane. In Paris, it is easier to walk.
Indeed, says Gaius. I prefer to walk, whenever possible. And I'm glad to see the back of that bicycle.
It looked like a perfectly good bicycle, says Carl Linnaeus.
It was, says Gaius, but it caused me no end of trouble. It was, technically it still is, Schopenhauer's.
What was the problem exactly? asks Carl Linnaeus.
It channelled him somehow, says Gaius. Even the experts at Utrecht University couldn't get to the bottom of it.
You believe in a channelling bicycle, but not a magical drum, says Carl Linnaeus.
Evidently, says Gaius.
Luckily, they have now arrived at the hotel.
This is your room, says Océane. You'll be sharing, so I hope you get on. The pre-meeting proper is in half an hour. I'll come for you in fifteen minutes and we'll walk there.
She is very efficient, says Carl, when the door shuts.
What is this pre-meeting? asks Gaius. I don't have a program.
It's a group of ecologists from various countries, says Carl. We will table our concerns. Océane will look at them from a lawyer's perspective, before we proceed to a post-pre-meeting meeting.
Very good, says Gaius. And are you intending to go in that outfit?
Yes, says Carl. It makes my point in a visual manner.
Your point being? asks Gaius.
The snow in Sweden is melting, says Carl.
Point taken, says Gaius. In that fur and leather, you'll sweat like a pig.
It's not supposed to be that metaphorical, says Carl.
They are wheeling their bicycles on the footpath.
This is a cool bike, says Dries. I do not detect a peculiarity.
You're not on it yet, says Arthur.
Dries hops on, rides a few metres.
Gardez! snaps a grumpy Parisian pedestrian.
The pedestrian is aware that his Will has been thwarted, says Dries.
Arthur glances at Pablo.
It's starting already.
Dries hops off.
I don't know what made me say that, says Dries. It was quite intellectual.
Not your normal type of statement, says Pablo.
No. I'm normally happy go lucky, says Dries.
I am not happy go lucky, says Pablo.
No, a poet should not be, says Dries.
What do you do? asks Pablo.
I'm a trauma counsellor, says Dries.
Counsel me, says Pablo.
What for? asks Dries. Have you recently been in a war zone?
No, says Pablo. But I was gutted when Océane, whom I love madly, said that we three should push off, as if I was of no importance.
You are well out of it, says Dries. She's a strange one. Always wears a blue raincoat.
A green dress with cream spots, says Pablo,
And drinks yellow sports drinks, says Arthur.
Carelessly, says Pablo.
And she doesn't admit it, says Dries. Believe me. I've been there.
Have you? says Arthur. Is this your trauma counselling technique?
No, says Dries. She is my cousin. She never admits anything.
She admitted me, says Pablo gloomily.
Only once, says Dries.
How does he know that?
Luckily, they are now at the station, and must attend to buying their tickets.
........
Océane, Gaius and Carl Linnaeus are walking to the hotel Montmartre-St Pierre, which is just round the corner.
It is good you have ditched your bicycle, says Océane. In Paris, it is easier to walk.
Indeed, says Gaius. I prefer to walk, whenever possible. And I'm glad to see the back of that bicycle.
It looked like a perfectly good bicycle, says Carl Linnaeus.
It was, says Gaius, but it caused me no end of trouble. It was, technically it still is, Schopenhauer's.
What was the problem exactly? asks Carl Linnaeus.
It channelled him somehow, says Gaius. Even the experts at Utrecht University couldn't get to the bottom of it.
You believe in a channelling bicycle, but not a magical drum, says Carl Linnaeus.
Evidently, says Gaius.
Luckily, they have now arrived at the hotel.
This is your room, says Océane. You'll be sharing, so I hope you get on. The pre-meeting proper is in half an hour. I'll come for you in fifteen minutes and we'll walk there.
She is very efficient, says Carl, when the door shuts.
What is this pre-meeting? asks Gaius. I don't have a program.
It's a group of ecologists from various countries, says Carl. We will table our concerns. Océane will look at them from a lawyer's perspective, before we proceed to a post-pre-meeting meeting.
Very good, says Gaius. And are you intending to go in that outfit?
Yes, says Carl. It makes my point in a visual manner.
Your point being? asks Gaius.
The snow in Sweden is melting, says Carl.
Point taken, says Gaius. In that fur and leather, you'll sweat like a pig.
It's not supposed to be that metaphorical, says Carl.
Thursday, November 5, 2015
If They Fail To Ejaculate You'll Be Ready
The hotel rooms are satisfactory, says Océane.
Pablo nods in agreement.
(dark waters in which phosphorescent jellyfish glide)
And I have upgraded one of our rooms to a double, says Océane.
Pablo shrugs.
(but for me my love no more submerged submarine sweetness)
Gaius will share it with Carl, says Océane. Now, Dries, you, Arthur and Pablo can push off any time.
Not yet, says Gaius. First I need to discuss something with Arthur.
What? asks Arthur.
It's private, says Gaius.
They move to a leafy corner of Place St Pierre.
What? says Arthur.
What do you think of Carl's Laplander outfit? asks Gaius.
I liked the magical drum, says Arthur. I was disappointed he gave me the amulet.
Irrelevant, says Gaius. I meant, what is your impression?
My impression is that he's a clown, says Arthur.
Good, says Gaius. Then I won't bother to dress in a toga.
Good decision, says Arthur. Maintain your dignity.
Thank you, Arthur, says Gaius. Now, when you get hold of those Bristlebirds, the first thing to do is to make sure they have lost all capacity for language.
How will I know? asks Arthur.
Ah, says Gaius. Good lad. Perspicacious as usual. I suggest you approach them unawares, and surprise them with a noise. If they fail to ejaculate, you'll know that you're ready to start...
....teaching them to say the Twenty Names, says Arthur.
What? Oh, that too, if you can be bothered. But I refer to new bird alarm calls. Of course, first you must learn them yourself.
Fine, says Arthur.
(although he has no intention of learning new bird alarm calls)
Excellent, says Gaius. Oh, and......I wonder if Dries would be so kind as to take my bicycle back to Adelaide. Tell him he's welcome to use it of course. Just remember it's peculiarity.
Won't you need it in Paris? asks Arthur.
No, I believe we shall be taking taxis, says Gaius.
Is that a good look? asks Arthur. For a Climate Conference?
Why on earth wouldn't it be? says Gaius.
They go back to the others.
Océane is licking butter sauce from her lips, watched by Pablo.
We've got an extra bicycle to take home, says Arthur. Dries, you can ride it.
Cool, says Dries.
It has a peculiarity, says Arthur.
What peculiarity? asks Dries, thinking of gear or brake peculiarities or an uncomfortable projection in a particular part of the saddle.
You'll find out, says Arthur.
Pablo nods in agreement.
(dark waters in which phosphorescent jellyfish glide)
And I have upgraded one of our rooms to a double, says Océane.
Pablo shrugs.
(but for me my love no more submerged submarine sweetness)
Gaius will share it with Carl, says Océane. Now, Dries, you, Arthur and Pablo can push off any time.
Not yet, says Gaius. First I need to discuss something with Arthur.
What? asks Arthur.
It's private, says Gaius.
They move to a leafy corner of Place St Pierre.
What? says Arthur.
What do you think of Carl's Laplander outfit? asks Gaius.
I liked the magical drum, says Arthur. I was disappointed he gave me the amulet.
Irrelevant, says Gaius. I meant, what is your impression?
My impression is that he's a clown, says Arthur.
Good, says Gaius. Then I won't bother to dress in a toga.
Good decision, says Arthur. Maintain your dignity.
Thank you, Arthur, says Gaius. Now, when you get hold of those Bristlebirds, the first thing to do is to make sure they have lost all capacity for language.
How will I know? asks Arthur.
Ah, says Gaius. Good lad. Perspicacious as usual. I suggest you approach them unawares, and surprise them with a noise. If they fail to ejaculate, you'll know that you're ready to start...
....teaching them to say the Twenty Names, says Arthur.
What? Oh, that too, if you can be bothered. But I refer to new bird alarm calls. Of course, first you must learn them yourself.
Fine, says Arthur.
(although he has no intention of learning new bird alarm calls)
Excellent, says Gaius. Oh, and......I wonder if Dries would be so kind as to take my bicycle back to Adelaide. Tell him he's welcome to use it of course. Just remember it's peculiarity.
Won't you need it in Paris? asks Arthur.
No, I believe we shall be taking taxis, says Gaius.
Is that a good look? asks Arthur. For a Climate Conference?
Why on earth wouldn't it be? says Gaius.
They go back to the others.
Océane is licking butter sauce from her lips, watched by Pablo.
We've got an extra bicycle to take home, says Arthur. Dries, you can ride it.
Cool, says Dries.
It has a peculiarity, says Arthur.
What peculiarity? asks Dries, thinking of gear or brake peculiarities or an uncomfortable projection in a particular part of the saddle.
You'll find out, says Arthur.
Wednesday, November 4, 2015
Magic May Or Not Happen
Time ticks on in Montmartre. The climate warms imperceptibly. It is almost lunch time.
No one has come back yet.
Gaius and Carl Linnaeus are thinking of moving.
Just round the corner, says Gaius. I believe I smell crêpes.
Shall we move there? The others will find us, says Carl Linnaeus.
They could hardly miss YOU, says Gaius.
That's the idea, says Carl Linnaeus, lifting his feet up.
His curly-toed Sami boots attract several glances.
Gaius stands up. When Carl follows suit, his Sami belt jangles.
What ARE those items on your belt? asks Gaius.
Lucky amulets, says Carl Linnaeus. And this is my magical drum.
I don't believe that, says Gaius.
And here, says Carl Linnaeus, is my signature flower.
He opens a scrimshawed bone pot, and whips out a tiny pink flower.
Very nice, says Gaius. Is it plastic?
Take a close look, says Carl. Do you know it?
Yes I know it. The twin flower, Linnaea borealis.
A passer-by whistles. Hoo! Les Plinys du Nord, vous deux!
Really, says Gaius. It's too ridiculous. How are we in any way similar? Let's get those crêpes before anything else happens.
They go round the corner, to find Arthur and Dries already tucking into crêpes.
Ah, there you are, says Gaius. What are the crêpes like?
Very good, says Dries, but overpriced, naturally.
Carl has been showing me his trinkets, says Gaius. A scrimshawed bone knife, amulets and his magical drum. Show them, Carl, and perhaps you'll explain how the drum works.
When you strike it, says Carl, magic may or not happen.
May or may not, says Arthur.
May or may not, yes. I see your knees are inflamed, says Carl.
Sometimes they bleed, says Arthur.
They only bleed when he scrapes them on gravel, or falls off a bicycle, says Gaius.
He didn't do either of those, says Dries.
Try one of my lucky amulets, says Carl. You can give it back later.
He hands Arthur an amulet. Arthur slips it into his pocket.
Ting! It lands on an old knitting needle. Thank you.
Where's Pablo? asks Dries. I'm supposed to keep him in sight at all times.
We don't know, says Gaius. Perhaps you should ask Océane.
Time ticks on in Montmartre. The climate warms imperceptibly.
Pablo and Océane haven't come back yet.
Carl strikes his drum with his crêpe fork.
Ah! Here they come now!
No one has come back yet.
Gaius and Carl Linnaeus are thinking of moving.
Just round the corner, says Gaius. I believe I smell crêpes.
Shall we move there? The others will find us, says Carl Linnaeus.
They could hardly miss YOU, says Gaius.
That's the idea, says Carl Linnaeus, lifting his feet up.
His curly-toed Sami boots attract several glances.
Gaius stands up. When Carl follows suit, his Sami belt jangles.
What ARE those items on your belt? asks Gaius.
Lucky amulets, says Carl Linnaeus. And this is my magical drum.
I don't believe that, says Gaius.
And here, says Carl Linnaeus, is my signature flower.
He opens a scrimshawed bone pot, and whips out a tiny pink flower.
Very nice, says Gaius. Is it plastic?
Take a close look, says Carl. Do you know it?
Yes I know it. The twin flower, Linnaea borealis.
A passer-by whistles. Hoo! Les Plinys du Nord, vous deux!
Really, says Gaius. It's too ridiculous. How are we in any way similar? Let's get those crêpes before anything else happens.
They go round the corner, to find Arthur and Dries already tucking into crêpes.
Ah, there you are, says Gaius. What are the crêpes like?
Very good, says Dries, but overpriced, naturally.
Carl has been showing me his trinkets, says Gaius. A scrimshawed bone knife, amulets and his magical drum. Show them, Carl, and perhaps you'll explain how the drum works.
When you strike it, says Carl, magic may or not happen.
May or may not, says Arthur.
May or may not, yes. I see your knees are inflamed, says Carl.
Sometimes they bleed, says Arthur.
They only bleed when he scrapes them on gravel, or falls off a bicycle, says Gaius.
He didn't do either of those, says Dries.
Try one of my lucky amulets, says Carl. You can give it back later.
He hands Arthur an amulet. Arthur slips it into his pocket.
Ting! It lands on an old knitting needle. Thank you.
Where's Pablo? asks Dries. I'm supposed to keep him in sight at all times.
We don't know, says Gaius. Perhaps you should ask Océane.
Time ticks on in Montmartre. The climate warms imperceptibly.
Pablo and Océane haven't come back yet.
Carl strikes his drum with his crêpe fork.
Ah! Here they come now!
Tuesday, November 3, 2015
Why We Are Both Here
Carl Linnaeus sits at the outdoor café table, opposite Gaius.
He surveys his old friend.
I see you haven't gone to much trouble, says Carl Linnaeus.
I see that you have, says Gaius. May I ask why?
It's the advice of my stylist, says Carl Linnaeus. Price of fame, ha ha, having a stylist. I go on talk shows a lot. She suggested I wear my Laplander outfit to the climate talks.
It does draw attention, says Gaius. Is it hot in there?
It is rather, says Carl Linnaeus. The hat is cool enough, but the leather gakti is stuffy, and one must keep it buttoned, or one's belly shows.
Nice buttons, says Gaius. Beautifully scrimshawed. Is it reindeer antler?
Yes, as is my knife.
The knife reminds Gaius of Arthur.
Where is Arthur? He was here just now.
He went off with the other young man.
Pablo?
No. The one with the fluoro orange back pack.
He went off with Dries? How peculiar. What about Pablo? And where is Océane?
They walked off in that direction.
Extraordinary, says Gaius. We can only wait here until they decide to come back.
Fine by me, says Carl Linnaeus. Tell me, what mischief have you been up to lately?
Ah, says Gaius, (lucky he had Arthur make all those notes.) Researching a new species of funnel web spider in New South Wales. Before that, paleomagnetics, and virtual technology in Utrecht. In between, I rode in the Tour de France. Didn't come anywhere. Earlier.....
Same old dilettante Gaius, says Carl Linnaeus.
I suppose you've been focussing, says Gaius.
Of course I've been focussing, says Carl Linnaeus. Today there is only one story. The climate.
Naturally, says Gaius. That's why we're both here.
.........
Arthur and Dries have climbed up the steps to the Basilica de Sacre Coeur, and are surveying Paris, along with a few hundred others.
Does this view inspire you? asks Dries.
No, says Arthur. It takes more than this.
Me too, says Dries. I prefer flatness.
Now we know, says Arthur.
His knees feel itchy, for the first time in ages.
........
Océane enters the hotel, followed by Pablo.
You needn't have come, says Océane. I'm just checking the booking.
but anyway
whatever the reason
she has let him
He surveys his old friend.
I see you haven't gone to much trouble, says Carl Linnaeus.
I see that you have, says Gaius. May I ask why?
It's the advice of my stylist, says Carl Linnaeus. Price of fame, ha ha, having a stylist. I go on talk shows a lot. She suggested I wear my Laplander outfit to the climate talks.
It does draw attention, says Gaius. Is it hot in there?
It is rather, says Carl Linnaeus. The hat is cool enough, but the leather gakti is stuffy, and one must keep it buttoned, or one's belly shows.
Nice buttons, says Gaius. Beautifully scrimshawed. Is it reindeer antler?
Yes, as is my knife.
The knife reminds Gaius of Arthur.
Where is Arthur? He was here just now.
He went off with the other young man.
Pablo?
No. The one with the fluoro orange back pack.
He went off with Dries? How peculiar. What about Pablo? And where is Océane?
They walked off in that direction.
Extraordinary, says Gaius. We can only wait here until they decide to come back.
Fine by me, says Carl Linnaeus. Tell me, what mischief have you been up to lately?
Ah, says Gaius, (lucky he had Arthur make all those notes.) Researching a new species of funnel web spider in New South Wales. Before that, paleomagnetics, and virtual technology in Utrecht. In between, I rode in the Tour de France. Didn't come anywhere. Earlier.....
Same old dilettante Gaius, says Carl Linnaeus.
I suppose you've been focussing, says Gaius.
Of course I've been focussing, says Carl Linnaeus. Today there is only one story. The climate.
Naturally, says Gaius. That's why we're both here.
.........
Arthur and Dries have climbed up the steps to the Basilica de Sacre Coeur, and are surveying Paris, along with a few hundred others.
Does this view inspire you? asks Dries.
No, says Arthur. It takes more than this.
Me too, says Dries. I prefer flatness.
Now we know, says Arthur.
His knees feel itchy, for the first time in ages.
........
Océane enters the hotel, followed by Pablo.
You needn't have come, says Océane. I'm just checking the booking.
but anyway
whatever the reason
she has let him
Monday, November 2, 2015
Sticky Pre-Meeting Meeting In Montmartre
Gare du Nord.
They retrieve their bicycles, except for Océane, who doesn't have one, and get off the train.
Excuse me, says Pablo. I'm just running off to buy quince paste. Arthur, look after my bike.
I can't wait for you, says Océane. I have a pre-meeting meeting.
I'll find you, says Pablo.
No you won't, says Océane. You must stay here to meet Dries. Tch! Where is he?
She looks at her watch. Ah, here he is now. Dries! Dries! Over here!
A young man with black hair and a fluoro orange back pack lopes over.
Hi guys! Sorry I'm late!
You're not late, says Océane, we are two minutes early.
Dries winks at Arthur.
Two minutes. How bad these trains are.
Pablo meantime has disappeared to find quince paste.
How annoying, says Océane. I need Pablo to be here for the handover.
But what is the problem? asks Dries.
I must be in Montmartre in twenty minutes, says Océane. I'm to meet Carl Linnaeus.
I too, says Gaius.
Dries looks confused.
I thought we were going to to Sydney?
I shall be staying in Paris for the pre climate talks, says Gaius. Only Arthur and Pablo have signed your Twenty Names contract.
Oh, okay, says Dries.
Arthur likes Dries already.
Pablo comes back at a gallop, waving a paper bag of membrillo.
This is for you, my sweet Océane. Eat it and don't forget me.
Thank you, says Océane. Now we really must.....
is she drifting away from him already?
but he wishes to watch her ingest the membrillo
to place it on her tongue, let it melt there,
and slip past the pink flaps in her throat.....
Arthur has an idea. Why don't we all go to Montmartre?
Okay, says Dries. I am easy.
It's only twenty minutes walk to Montmartre from Gare du Nord.
They arrive at the Place des Abbesses.
They find seats outside a café near the ancient merry go round.
Dries orders and pays for the coffee.
Océane offers each of them a bite of membrillo.
Pablo watches her afterwards wipe it clean of everyone's spit.
The sun filters through the plane trees. The merry go round music tinkles gaily.
I wonder why he's so late, says Océane. Where is he?
A curious figure approaches their table. Could it be? No it couldn't. Yes it IS!
Carl Linnaeus! says Gaius, quickly swallowing his membrillo.
Gaius Plinius Secundus! says Carl. You haven't changed.
I can't say the same for you, Carl, says Gaius. Why are you dressed in that way?
This is my Laplander outfit, says Carl. Do you like it?
Don't tell me that Laplanders wear brown pancakes on their heads, says Gaius. Or is it a fruit bowl?
I'm surprised at you, Gaius, says Carl. It's a genuine hat, one of many types worn by the Sami.
I know, says Gaius. The Sami. But are you sure that you're wearing it right?
Come, gentlemen, says Océane. Our pre-meeting meeting ought not to be hijacked by banter.
It won't be, says Carl Linnaeus. I never banter.
Nor do I, says Gaius Plinius Secundus. But remember, this is not the pre-meeting meeting. This is the pre-pre-meeting meeting
HA HA HA HA! laughs Carl Linnaeus.
Océane looks a little put out.
They retrieve their bicycles, except for Océane, who doesn't have one, and get off the train.
Excuse me, says Pablo. I'm just running off to buy quince paste. Arthur, look after my bike.
I can't wait for you, says Océane. I have a pre-meeting meeting.
I'll find you, says Pablo.
No you won't, says Océane. You must stay here to meet Dries. Tch! Where is he?
She looks at her watch. Ah, here he is now. Dries! Dries! Over here!
A young man with black hair and a fluoro orange back pack lopes over.
Hi guys! Sorry I'm late!
You're not late, says Océane, we are two minutes early.
Dries winks at Arthur.
Two minutes. How bad these trains are.
Pablo meantime has disappeared to find quince paste.
How annoying, says Océane. I need Pablo to be here for the handover.
But what is the problem? asks Dries.
I must be in Montmartre in twenty minutes, says Océane. I'm to meet Carl Linnaeus.
I too, says Gaius.
Dries looks confused.
I thought we were going to to Sydney?
I shall be staying in Paris for the pre climate talks, says Gaius. Only Arthur and Pablo have signed your Twenty Names contract.
Oh, okay, says Dries.
Arthur likes Dries already.
Pablo comes back at a gallop, waving a paper bag of membrillo.
This is for you, my sweet Océane. Eat it and don't forget me.
Thank you, says Océane. Now we really must.....
is she drifting away from him already?
but he wishes to watch her ingest the membrillo
to place it on her tongue, let it melt there,
and slip past the pink flaps in her throat.....
Arthur has an idea. Why don't we all go to Montmartre?
Okay, says Dries. I am easy.
It's only twenty minutes walk to Montmartre from Gare du Nord.
They arrive at the Place des Abbesses.
They find seats outside a café near the ancient merry go round.
Dries orders and pays for the coffee.
Océane offers each of them a bite of membrillo.
Pablo watches her afterwards wipe it clean of everyone's spit.
I wonder why he's so late, says Océane. Where is he?
A curious figure approaches their table. Could it be? No it couldn't. Yes it IS!
Carl Linnaeus! says Gaius, quickly swallowing his membrillo.
Gaius Plinius Secundus! says Carl. You haven't changed.
I can't say the same for you, Carl, says Gaius. Why are you dressed in that way?
This is my Laplander outfit, says Carl. Do you like it?
Don't tell me that Laplanders wear brown pancakes on their heads, says Gaius. Or is it a fruit bowl?
I'm surprised at you, Gaius, says Carl. It's a genuine hat, one of many types worn by the Sami.
I know, says Gaius. The Sami. But are you sure that you're wearing it right?
Come, gentlemen, says Océane. Our pre-meeting meeting ought not to be hijacked by banter.
It won't be, says Carl Linnaeus. I never banter.
Nor do I, says Gaius Plinius Secundus. But remember, this is not the pre-meeting meeting. This is the pre-pre-meeting meeting
HA HA HA HA! laughs Carl Linnaeus.
Océane looks a little put out.
Sunday, November 1, 2015
The Blue Blob At The Tip Of The Ball
What's that face for? asks Pablo.
What face? says Arthur.
Hopeful, says Pablo. When I'm in despair.
Someone from the Twenty Names Committee is meeting us in Paris, says Arthur. And I'm hopeful.
Océane Conscience looks up from rearranging the tights in her handbag.
Go on, says Pablo.
For two reasons, says Arthur. One, we've had two women follow us already.
So you think it'll be a man, says Pablo. And the second?
He'll have money, says Arthur.
Pablo thinks about this for a moment. Yes, it's a given that he will have money.
I could have told you, says Océane. It is Dries, and yes, he has money. Now I have a question for Pablo. Why are you in despair?
I love you, says Pablo. I have composed a poem about you, I began it when you dribbled your drink down your chin, and let it dry there.
I never did that, says Océane. I am meticulous. Where is this poem?
I have not yet written it down, says Pablo. But I will now.
He takes out.....NOT his pencil.
But his famous green pen.
For the first time, Océane is attracted. The pen is fish green. The point sparkles. A blue blob of ink appears at the tip of the ball.
She watches, as Pablo starts writing: Ode To A Meticulous Woman On A Train.
Arthur, says Gaius. As Pablo's not using his pencil, I wonder if you might use it to take down some notes.
Sure, says Arthur, reaching into Pablo's pocket for the pencil.
I'd just like to get my life's work into perspective, says Gaius.
We'll be in Paris in ten minutes, says Arthur.
Nevertheless, says Gaius, if I'm meeting up with Carl Linnaeus, he's sure to be asking.....
Okay, says Arthur. Paper?
Use the back page of my notebook, says Gaius.
Shall we work backwards? asks Arthur. Start with teaching the birds?
He hasn't DONE that, says Océane sharply.
I'll mark it To Be Completed, says Arthur. Now what were you doing in Antwerp?
Escaping from Utrecht, says Gaius. With the bicycle. I'd been visiting the University, their Paleomagnetic Lab, and their BikeLab, where they made me a Doppelganger. And after that there was the discovery of the new species of funnel web spider in Booderee National Park.....
You didn't do that, says Arthur.
I superintended it, says Gaius.
But the spider was eaten by the birds, says Arthur. Do you want Linnaeus to know that?
He's a man of the world, says Gaius. It's a natural aspect of ecology. Leave it in.
Pablo has finished the poem and handed it to Océane just seconds before the very fast train pulls into Gare du Nord.
She scans it briefly.
Oh, says Océane. It is highly sensual.
She reads it again.
And now that we have arrived in Paris, says Pablo, seizing the moment, I don't want you to go anywhere until I have given you a piece of membrillo.
(Of course, we all know this is quince paste, a Spanish fruit jelly).
What face? says Arthur.
Hopeful, says Pablo. When I'm in despair.
Someone from the Twenty Names Committee is meeting us in Paris, says Arthur. And I'm hopeful.
Océane Conscience looks up from rearranging the tights in her handbag.
Go on, says Pablo.
For two reasons, says Arthur. One, we've had two women follow us already.
So you think it'll be a man, says Pablo. And the second?
He'll have money, says Arthur.
Pablo thinks about this for a moment. Yes, it's a given that he will have money.
I could have told you, says Océane. It is Dries, and yes, he has money. Now I have a question for Pablo. Why are you in despair?
I love you, says Pablo. I have composed a poem about you, I began it when you dribbled your drink down your chin, and let it dry there.
I never did that, says Océane. I am meticulous. Where is this poem?
I have not yet written it down, says Pablo. But I will now.
He takes out.....NOT his pencil.
But his famous green pen.
For the first time, Océane is attracted. The pen is fish green. The point sparkles. A blue blob of ink appears at the tip of the ball.
She watches, as Pablo starts writing: Ode To A Meticulous Woman On A Train.
Arthur, says Gaius. As Pablo's not using his pencil, I wonder if you might use it to take down some notes.
Sure, says Arthur, reaching into Pablo's pocket for the pencil.
I'd just like to get my life's work into perspective, says Gaius.
We'll be in Paris in ten minutes, says Arthur.
Nevertheless, says Gaius, if I'm meeting up with Carl Linnaeus, he's sure to be asking.....
Okay, says Arthur. Paper?
Use the back page of my notebook, says Gaius.
Shall we work backwards? asks Arthur. Start with teaching the birds?
He hasn't DONE that, says Océane sharply.
I'll mark it To Be Completed, says Arthur. Now what were you doing in Antwerp?
Escaping from Utrecht, says Gaius. With the bicycle. I'd been visiting the University, their Paleomagnetic Lab, and their BikeLab, where they made me a Doppelganger. And after that there was the discovery of the new species of funnel web spider in Booderee National Park.....
You didn't do that, says Arthur.
I superintended it, says Gaius.
But the spider was eaten by the birds, says Arthur. Do you want Linnaeus to know that?
He's a man of the world, says Gaius. It's a natural aspect of ecology. Leave it in.
Pablo has finished the poem and handed it to Océane just seconds before the very fast train pulls into Gare du Nord.
She scans it briefly.
Oh, says Océane. It is highly sensual.
She reads it again.
And now that we have arrived in Paris, says Pablo, seizing the moment, I don't want you to go anywhere until I have given you a piece of membrillo.
(Of course, we all know this is quince paste, a Spanish fruit jelly).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
