Saint Michael Risks A Crack

Gaius cycles through the streets of Bridgetown looking for a chocolate shop.

In his front basket are Kobo and Ageless, acting as spotters.

Griff cycles some distance behind them, with Terence perched dangerously on his back pannier.

Griff, while pretending to look for a chocolate shop, has another agenda.

He is looking for the Cathedral Church of Saint Michael and All Angels.

Terence is looking for Bs.

There are plenty of Bs in Barbados, bur Terence hasn't seen one.

However, the task keeps him occupied, for the moment.

.......

Gaius, says Kobo. Why don't you use your smart phone to find a chocolate shop?

Good thinking, says Gaius. He stops and presses buttons on his phone.

Agapey Chocolate Factory, Hincks Street. Single sourced cacao from bean to bar. Tours available.

Now he knows the address, he heads straight to Agapey, a small chocolate-making establishment.

Gaius, Ageless and Kobo go inside.

Tour? says the owner. Only twenty dollars. I'll show you how we make our delicious chocolate bars. And you can buy chocolate at a discount.

We don't want a tour, says Gaius.

Everyone does the tour, says the owner.

My companion is interested in buying a gift of chocolate that would suit an endangered snake we are intending to visit, says Gaius. Before you protest, it is in fulfilment of a promise, not because we believe the snake in question will enjoy eating the chocolate.

What a criminal waste of good chocolate, says the owner.

But feel free to look at our range, he adds.

A sale is a sale, regardless.

Gaius peruses the chocolate bars arranged neatly in their brown and gold wrappings, with different coloured bands representing the different flavours. Rum Caramel, Coconut Rum, Vodka Ginger....

Kobo looks too. Ageless watches her looking.

......

Griff has spotted the Cathedral of Saint Michael and All Angels, hopped off his bicycle,  and dragged Terence inside.

Griff looks about for a crucifix, intending to teach Terence a lesson.

Lesson: Easter is not your birthday. At Easter, you die.

But Terence has spotted the stained glass window above the altar. Saint Michael, his sword drawn, defeating Satan.

I know that guy, says Terence.

He runs up to the altar.

Saint Michael beams down at Terence. I know that little chap from somewhere. Now where have I seen him before, oh... fuck yeah. Shit! Can't be.

Saint Michael recomposes his features to look fierce again.

That is Saint Michael, says Griff. The archangel.

Terence knows better. It's a pirate. Only pirates have swords.

This is a rubbish palace, says Terence. Can we go and buy chocolate?

Not until.... begins Griff.

(Not until I destroy your stupid illusions).

Saint Michael is used to negativity. He spends his whole life in a cathedral.

He risks the odd crack.

Crack!

Griff looks up.

AGAPEY, mouths Saint Michael.

Clever Saint Michael.

It's the name of the best chocolate shop in Bridgetown. But also it's the Greek word for love.

Without the Y, that is. But when you mouth it, it looks just the same. AGAPE ( see?)

Griff takes this as a warning not to go any further in the disillusionment of Terence.

Okay, says Griff. We'll go and buy chocolate. I have no idea where, though.

AGAPEY, you fool!

But Griff was never going to twig that part of the message.