Mirror Writing

Chapter 22 (cont'd)
Scene continues on the wooden deck...

Richard and Carl sit in comfortable silence for a moment, sipping brandy and smoking cigarettes which had been strictly prohibited 'in house' by Lucy.
"Great evening for a smoke. Feels so much healthier outdoors. One could almost fool themselves into thinking that it's good for you," Richard grinned.
"So why do you think Da Vinci wrote in 'mirror writing?' Just a conspiracy theory, nothing too heavy tonight," Carl spoke with his eyes closed and his jaw in a relaxed state, head leaning back on the lounger.
"Most of the masters did everything deliberately, I think. You, of all people, know about the architectural wonders. Many people believe Da Vinci encoded many things, including his paintings. And..." Richard moved into a 'Rodin thinker' pose. "I just thought of another thing that has made us friends. We have a sense of humour that is not enjoyed or even understood by many. Leonardo may have been writing to..."
The garden door opened and Lucy and Ethel came bearing gifts of edible paradise. As they moved to stand over their husbands, Richard paused. Then as a tray of delectable food was held under his nose he continued, "entertain, amuse himself. For instance." Richard looked up at Lucy, smiled and said, "You, my heavenly moment of molecular captivity, thank you for sharing your essence."
Carl burst into laughter while the ladies furrowed their brows in annoyance.
"See?" Richard exchanged more encoded knowledge with his friend. "Now, let me demonstrate again." Richard reached for the tray of appetizers that Lucy held out for him. He placed the tray on the table next to his lounger, pulled Lucy down onto his lap. She squealed in surprise. Her eyebrows became a mirror image of annoyance as she landed on Richards' lap. Then Richard turned her face to his, nuzzled her neck and breathed into her ear, "You smell like fresh laundry on a sunny, wind swept slope. Oh," He smelled her neck again. "...and a bunch of wild flowers picked from the field you walked through as you hung the laundry on the line. The smell of crushed petals still lingers on your dainty feet."
Lucy lay in a limp heap of relaxed romance on Richards' chest.
Ethel stood, jaw and wrist slack, her tray of appetizers dangerously close to sliding onto Carls' lap. Carl looked up at his wife, slowly bringing the serving tray to balanced form and taking it from her and placing it on his side table. He watched her face closely as he too pulled her limp form onto his lap. She tingled as he moved his nose into her hair and whispered, "You are perfume."
She closed her eyes and relaxed in a soft sigh.
The two men looked at each other over the heads of their wives and shrugged.
"Sometimes, it's how you say it." Richard brandy toned his words.
"Cut!" There was applause and cheering from the whole film Crew.