One Way To Swallow Dark Matter

Oscar (Parrot-Boy) is now faced with a problem.

How to steal his mum's knife.

It's impossible just at the moment.

Where does she keep it? asks Terence.

In her back pack, says Oscar. With the apples.

Let's ask for apples, says Terence.

That won't work, says Oscar. She'll say wait till we get there.

She might stop, says Terence. What if we tell her we're starving?

She won't believe us, says Oscar.

But I AM starving, says Terence.

Are you? says David, turning round. What about all those oysters?

I only clacked them, says Terence. I didn't eat them. I feel like a milkshake.

You won't get a knife with a milkshake, says David.

YOU WERE LISTENING! says Terence.

You knew I was, says David. As soon as I mentioned the oysters.

You were listening about the KNIFE, says Terence.

Don't tell mum! says Oscar.

As if I would get the opportunity, says David.

This wry observation goes right over the heads of the would-be blood brothers.

......

Here we are, says Em. Atlas, the first Platform. But.... dammit, it's closed!

What a shame, says Vello. What are we missing?

The search for Dark Matter, says Em. Sorry children, you can't get your passports clipped here.

I want to see the Dark Matter, says Terence.

No one can see the Dark Matter, says David. I know that much.

Oscar knows about Dark Matter, says Em. Tell them, Oscar.

It's made of super symmetrical particles, says Oscar.

It MIGHT be, says Em. Well done, Oscar. Super symmetrical

What's the next Platform? asks Vello, and how far is it?

The Control Centre, says Em, where they do the accelerations. But before we go there, would any one like an apple?

Me, says Terence. And a knife, please.

Shut up, idiot! hisses Oscar.

I'll peel it for you, says Em. But really the skin is the best part.

She takes out five apples, and a fruit knife.

I'll do them, says David.

How kind, says Em.

David starts peeling.

Don't peel mine, says Em.

Or mine, says Vello. The skin is the best part.

Hee hee, giggles Em.

Oh really!

David hands Em and Vello their unpeeled apples. They bite into them. Super symmetrical.

David peels stolidly, until he has finished.

Three peeled apples, three long segments of peel, one fruit knife, on the grass.

Parrot-Boy picks up the knife.

Swurch! a small cutting. Blood oozes out of his hand.

Now you, Terence.

Grccch! A few flakes of cement, and a grit ball.

Mix them together and lick.

Ingest the Dark Matter.