The Art Of Compensation

Jamila and the attendant run towards the shark tunnel, followed closely by Doctor Moussalli with the Twitcher and the unwanted snails.

What's going on here? says Jamila, reaching the scene of the fracas.

In the middle of a crowd of onlookers, three women are trying to strangle a lobster, or so it would seem.

Ladies, ladies, says Jamila, let go of that lobster, and calm yourselves. What is the matter?

Our babies! cries one of the women. They followed him here! Where are they, you beastly old lobster? Talk or I'll pull off your claws!

Doctor Moussalli arrives, and immediately recognises Ageless, but decides to keep mum.

Now then, says Jamila, we will find your babies. What are their names?

Fadi, says the first mummy.

Iqbal, says the second mummy.

Hans, says the third.

Just then Fadi and Iqbal and Hans run up behind their mummies.

Boo! mummy, says Fadi. We were hiding to spy on the lobster.

I knew the lobster was to blame, says Fadi's mummy, glaring at Jamila. What are you going to do about it?

It isn't our lobster, says Jamila. I know that is hard to believe.

It is mine, says Doctor Moussalli, coming forward.

Ageless almost chokes on his spit.

IT...IS...MINE! says Ageless. I don't think so.

The mummies are astonished that the lobster can speak.

How clever! says Iqbal's mummy. If it's not an exhibit, it should be.

Yes, says Hans' mummy. I'd pay to see that.

He's called WEARY, says Fadi. We talked to him on the white floor.

It was very naughty to follow him, without telling us, says Fadi's mummy.

Sorry, mummy, says Fadi, with downcast eyes.

Ageless has spotted the Twitcher.

Twitcher, my brother! cries Ageless. You are here for a week. How I pity you!

Stay with me! cries the Twitcher. There are sharks!

Do not fear, cries Ageless. I shall stay with you here. We'll endure it together.

Good, says Jamila. That's settled.

Right, says Fadi's mummy. If you are owning the lobster, you are responsible for its behavior. What have you to say about that?

Jamila looks helplessly at Doctor Moussalli, who gallantly comes forward.

Perhaps, says Doctor Moussalli, we might offer each of these charming young children a gift of a special Australian land snail, to take home and keep.

Fadi, Iqbal and Hans look delighted. The mummies slightly less so.