Betrayed By Chocolate And Science

Well done, Griff! says Gaius, when Griff shows him the photo.

It was more luck than good judgement, says Griff.

Nonetheless, says Gaius, we now have evidence of the Barbados racer. We must investigate further.

Kobo may have something useful, says Griff.

A large piece of Cacao Grenada, says Gaius. I see it.

He bends down to question Kobo.

Did you have words with the snake?

I did, replies Kobo.

Describe her snake hole, says Gaius. What was in it?

It was dark, says Kobo. And you know I can't see.

You can see when you want to, says Gaius. But I shall not pursue it.

Ask her why she's come out with the chocolate, says Griff.

(Wise move Griff. Different angle).

Why have you? asks Gaius. Didn't she want it?

She was delighted, says Kobo. And she has a request.

What is it? asks Gaius.

She wants us to place the chocolate on top of Henry Wilkinson's ball.

Whatever for? says Gaius. It'll melt there.

That's the idea, says Kobo. She wants to annoy a certain person.

I am annoyed, says Gaius. That's expensive chocolate.

You seem to have had quite an intimate conversation, says Griff.

You don't know the half of it, says Kobo.

Oh! says Griff. And what is the other half of it?

I can't say, says Kobo.

I paid for the chocolate, says Gaius. I deserve more than this collusive female silence.

Kobo knows he is right. He paid for the chocolate. Furthermore he paid for the trip to Barbados. Had he not done so, she would not be here, looking  forward to a beach party this evening, under the stars. And then there are the higher interests of BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE.... it is a story that deserves to be told, but she doesn't like to betray the Barbados racer....

Well? says Gaius.

Put the chocolate on top of the ball, says Kobo.

Gaius nods in the direction of the chocolate. Griff places the chocolate on top of the ball. It is a hot afternoon, and the chocolate is already softening.

Not-Henry Wilkinson sniffs it suspiciously.

Well, says Kobo. This is a story of inter-species relations. Resulting in eggs.

EGGS! says Gaius. There are eggs in the snake hole! Why didn't you say so!

She just said so, says Griff. This is a turn up!

She also said inter-species, says Gaius. What other species?

I promised to keep it a secret, says Kobo.

Gaius has taken out his notebook. He looks earnest and scientific. Kobo is torn.

Strictly speaking, she had only promised not to mention the eggs. Not to keep Mastigo a secret.

Ah, the romance of the Barbados racer and Mastigo! They spoke of life the universe and the mongoose. And then they had sex.

(But what is a mongoose? she wonders).

Okay, says Kobo. In the interests of science I shall drop you a name: Mastigo Dryas.

Mastigodryas bruesi, says Gaius. I know it. An arboreal snake thought to be introduced, once abundant, not spotted since 1963, its decline coincides with the introduction of the mongoose.

At a less fraught moment she will ask him about the mongoose.

Yes, says Kobo. Mastigo is the father.

What a coup! says Gaius. I must get hold of one of those eggs and take it to the biology department of the local university.

Not now, says Kobo. The melting chocolate joke is about to happen. It should be funny.

Indeed, the chocolate is melting and running down over the ball.

Not-Henry Wilkinson is livid. His red ball is covered in dark chocolate!

ROAAARRR!