Science, Art and The Cockroach

Where's Arthur? says Gaius, looking around the dimly lit bar.

Washing cockroach innards off the bottom of his shoe, most likely, says Ageless.

Poor cockroach, says David, lugubriously.

Yes, poor cockroach, nods Vello. A sad sticky end.

He deserved it, says Ageless.

Gaius smells a rat.

Did you know that cockroach? he asks Ageless, severely. It occurs to me it may be a relative.

Ageless feigns outrage.

A cockroach a relative of mine! says Ageless. A cockroach is a hexapod insect, while I am a lobster, and therefore a decapod crustacean.

But you both have exoskeletons, observes Vello.

And you are from the same phylum, says Gaius.

If you were a lady, says Ageless, which of us would you prefer?

Aha! says Gaius. I believe you are jealous.

Not any more, says Ageless. Not any more.

.........

Arthur is downstairs alone with the paintings. He glowers at them one by one.

Illuminations! says Arthur. That title is mine!

The scientists all have their eyes closed.

Arthur takes the bandage out of his pocket and unwraps the cockroach.

The creamy white stuff oozing out of its sides has not dried.

He scrawls the letters V-O-L on the glass of the nearest painting using the cockroach like a pen.

Then, snap! He takes a photo.

He stares at the scientist behind the glass. Merde! Did the scientist blink?

Arthur is about to turn tail and run for the stairs when the director appears in the doorway.

Oi! shouts the director. What's that stuff?

Cockroach innards, says Arthur. Who are you?

Paul Willis, I'm the director, says the director. And you are in trouble. What's your name?

Arthur Rimbaud, says Arthur.

And what is V-O-L? asks Paul Willis.

Theft, says Arthur, looking Paul in the eye. Theft of my title, Illuminations.

Aha! says Paul Willis. But yours is in French!

Just making a statement, says Arthur.

Waauugh! Bluuugh!

Arthur throws up on the floor, just missing Paul's shoe.

Paul hauls him back up the stairs.