Panel 1 — An excellent tomorrow
Jilly-Quill lifts the lid from a pot of bean-and-onion stew in the Commons kitchen. Olga waits beside an empty bowl. Only cropped hands and sleeves appear throughout.
JILLY: Future-friendly supper.
OLGA: Does the present get a bowl?
Panel 2 — The missing ingredient
Jilly shows the beans and onions. Olga asks about the food, not a declaration of belief.
JILLY: Beans and onions. No meat.
OLGA: I can hear what's absent. What's in it?
Panel 3 — The useful introduction
Jilly adds the remaining spoonful of smoked pepper from a small dish. The finite seasoning belongs to this pot; no new supply is promised.
JILLY: Smoked pepper. Last spoon.
OLGA: Lead with the pepper.
Panel 4 — A place at supper
Jilly offers to serve this pot. Olga chooses an ordinary seat at the adjacent table, and he brings her a filled bowl while the stew is hot. The disputed six-label chair is not used.
JILLY: Sit if you like. I'll serve this pot.
OLGA: While mine's hot? Agreed.
Panel 5 — Still the cook
Olga tastes her supper and asks for vinegar. Jilly sets a small cruet within reach. She does not get up to take over the ladle.
OLGA: A little vinegar.
JILLY: Is that your verdict?
Panel 6 — A practical answer
After eating, Olga slides her nearly empty bowl forward. Jilly remains the server and brings the ladle toward it.
OLGA: No. More.
CAPTION: The future could wait for the washing-up.