For the record, Gardeners did not exist only on Earth.
“So, could you please stop painting now?”
Those were the words the man uttered at the end of a long game of tag that had taken them in and out of paintings. Gio replied,
“I didn’t know what I would have to paint for you to like it, so I decided to win through sheer quantity….”
“You’ve already had more than enough of that contest, so I’m telling you to stop painting. Look, I’ve surrendered like this too, haven’t I?”
“I understand.”
Gio blinked as he looked at the “Gio” before him.
“You have less perseverance than I expected.”
“What’s this? Are you provoking me? To think a day like this would come in my life. How fascinating.”
“It sounds a little sarcastic, but I can tell you are sincere in your own way.”
“That’s right. There have been very few times in my life when I’ve been this dumbfounded.”
“And so?”
“It was fun.”
With that, he took hold of the top hat on his head and gave a light bow. “Gio” smiled expertly with his eyes.
“Ta-da.”
The hat looked very much like the sort commonly called a magician’s hat. Perhaps it was a small gift, or perhaps a memento; when he tapped it lightly with his cane, flowers burst out with a pop like tiny bombs.
Looking at Gio, now showered in flowers, the man bowed at the waist.
“Your George, at your service, Mr. Gio.”
“Thank you for the courteous introduction.”
Gio gently brushed off the flowers and looked “George” up and down.
“That outfit does not seem especially suited to the hat.”
“Oh? How strange. I don’t…