Panel 1 — A plausible visit
The Commons dry tool cupboard, June 30, 2230, afternoon. Trey arrives with a small closed delivery box and a loose slip of paper. Della rests a hand on the workbench.
CAPTION: Both on a break.
DELLA: What needs fixing?
TREY: Nothing. I brought the box in case.
Panel 2 — The account
Trey opens the box. It is empty. The unused slip lies beside it.
DELLA: In case of what?
TREY: Someone asks what I've done with the time.
Panel 3 — The request
Trey points to the chipped mechanical bird on its little wooden perch in the cupboard.
DELLA: And what did you want?
TREY: The bird. And some company.
Panel 4 — A familiar ending
Della winds the bird. Its wings lift and its beak opens.
CAPTION: Three good notes. The usual terrible fourth.
TREY: Still employed, then.
Panel 5 — An invitation
Della sets out two cups of tea. The open box stands aside, still empty. The bird watches from the bench.
DELLA: Next break, you can come without the box.
TREY: What do I put on the slip?
Panel 6 — Received
Trey sets his cup on the blank slip, beside Della's cup and the bird.
DELLA: Your cup.
CAPTION: Nothing delivered. Visit received.