False Leads And Seductions

Young Richard Ligon steps onto the beach in front of the Waves Resort Hotel.

Last night's gala dinner canopy has been dismantled. The sand is raked clean.

Several people are reclining in deck chairs, under coloured umbrellas, looking hung over.

No snake tracks here.

He walks up the beach a short way, and voila! some promising drag marks. Could they be multiple snake tracks?

He follows them, in the hope that they are.

.......

The snake tracks lead to Ageless lobster who is sunning himself, turning pinkish.

Beside him, his beloved, Kobo clam.

You'll cook, says Kobo. In fact I think I can smell you.

I feel the healing powers of the sun's rays, says Ageless. My dent is mending.

Expanding, says Kobo. It's not the same thing.

Can you really smell me? asks Ageless.

Before she can confirm it, young Richard Ligon turns up.

So the snake tracks were not snake tracks. They were the tracks of a lobster, and a fossilised clam.

To be certain, he crouches beside them.

It'a a long beach, says Ageless. Why don't you bugger off, mate.

Ageless! says Kobo.

Just looking for snakes, says young Richard Ligon. Seen any?

Yes! says Ageless.

No! says Kobo.

Young Richard Ligon addresses his next question to Ageless.

How many? What did they look like?

One, says Ageless. Masteego. A popinjay, a rum sort of fellow.

When did you last see him? asks young Richard Ligon.

Last night, says Ageless. He was chasing skirt, if you must know.

Kobo giggles.

Tangerine, her best friend, was the skirt.

Which way was he going? asks young Richard Ligon.

That way, Ageless points with his dominant claw.

Thanks a million, says young Richard Ligon.

He heads off, in that direction.

Mmmm, says Kobo. That was clever. All those lies, and pointing him in the wrong direction.

Was it? says Ageless. Damn. And what's that smell?

Come, says Kobo. You've had enough sunshine. Let's find some shade and get comfy.

Clik,,,clik,,,?

Mmm, comfy.

Ageless is only too willing.