Contrafactus
The Crab has invited a small group of friends over to watch the Saturday
afternoon football game on television. Achilles has already arrived, but the
Tortoise and his friend the Sloth are still awaited.Achilles: Could that be our friends, a-riding up on that unusual one-
wheeled vehicle?
(The Sloth and Tortoise dismount and come in.)
Crab: Ah, my friends, I'm so glad you could make it. May I present myoid
and beloved acquaintance, Mr. Sloth-and this is Achilles. I believe
you know the Tortoise.
Sloth: This is the first time I can recall making the acquaintance of a
Bicyclops. Pleased to meet you, Achilles. I've heard many fine things
said about the bicyclopean species.
Achilles: Likewise, I'm sure. May I ask about your elegant vehicle?
Tortoise: Our tandem u·nicycle, you mean? Hardly elegant. It's just a way
for two to get from A to B, at the same speed.
Sloth: It's built by a company that also makes teeter-teeters.
Achilles: I see, I see. What is that knob on it?
Sloth: That's the gearshift.
Achilles: Aha! And how many speeds does it have?
Tortoise: One, including reverse. Most models have fewer, but this is a
special model.
Achilles: It looks like a very nice tandem unicycle. Oh, Mr. Crab, I wanted
to tell you how much I enjoyed hearing your orchestra perform last
night.
Crab: Thank you, Achilles. Were you there by any chance, Mr. Sloth?
Sloth: No, I couldn't make it, I'm sad to say. I was participating in a mixed
singles ping-ping tournament. It was quite exciting because my team
was involved in a one-way tie for first place.
Achilles: Did you win anything?
Sloth: Certainly did-a two-sided Mobius strip made out of copper; it is
silver-plated on one side, and gold-plated on the other..
Crab: Congratulations, Mr. Sloth.
Sloth: Thank you. Well, do tell me about the concert.
Crab: It was a most enjoyable performance. We played some pieces by the
Bach twins-
Sloth: The famous Joh and Sebastian?
Crab: One and the same. And there was one work that made me think of
you, Mr. Sloth-a marvelous piano concerto for two left hands. The
Contrafactus^633