The Lunch Club # 2

I used the word “brio� because Jack could jump right in there with a gag – “Brillo� or “brie� would be the line to take. But he let the opportunity pass (and I ponder the possibility that suddenly I’m the comedic engine room).

Kate was wearing mittens and crumbs caught in the weft. She sucked on the material till the bread went soggy. She was thinking.

“Is this Lunch Club like a book club?� she asked.

Gideon responded with a “no�. Actually, he responded “non�. He’s learning French, he told us – in French. I took down what he was saying best I could, fed it into Babelfish after lunch and it came out “When the squirrels ululate, the queen alights the bristling dawn with gaiety�.

Jack was quiet. I asked why. He said the guy he sat next to for the last five years – gone.
I said: “Did you eat him?� (In my new role as quipster, you understand.) Jack was sullen and non-abusive in return, which was better than violent.

Katy said: “…only I’m thinking of reading a book.�

There was silence. I looked at Jack. After you, sir, I thought.

Nothing.

Jack said the guy next to him used to smell of damp coats and he had no understanding of either (a) market fluctuations or (b) medicated shampoos but at least he was there, every day.

He added there was a delivery of flat-pack cardboard boxes in the post room. I quipped: “At least you’ll have somewhere to live.�

(I’m cracking under the pressure! It’s too much!)

Gideon placed an arm round Jack’s shoulder. Said something comforting in French. (“The battleship does garner pickle with a prolonged concert, my apple-shaped monk.�)

Katy wants to read a book. Jack lets her off the hook. Gideon’s talking in tongues.

I think the commentators are right. We’re through the looking glass people.