Curse Made Manifest

When will you be leaving Cancale? asks Méen.

Later today, says Arthur.

In that case, goodbye, says Méen. And goodbye, Terence and Baldy, and goodbye, beetle.

A CURSE ON GOODBYES, says the beetle.

He'll come round, says Méen. When his legs grow more comfortable.

Terence picks up his beetle. You'll come round, says Terence.

He's already round, says Baldy. Round and shiny.

Go and say goodbye to the Virgin, says Méen.

Take her cushion, says Maclou.

Arthur takes the cushion.

What's this? says the Virgin. It's dirty! And why is there blood on your face?

It's not real blood says Arthur. It's the curse of the beetle. I've come to say goodbye.

The beetle I stepped on? says the Virgin. He cursed you? The little devil!

Are you all going? asks Butterball, from his place on the Arctic Circle.

Yes! cries Terence. Goodbye.

Goodbye, says Baldy.

Goodbye, cousins, says Butterball.

Okay, that's it for goodbyes, let's fast forward.

Arthur, Terence, Baldy and the beetle return to the oyster picnic.

How's the beetle? asks Belle. Let me see. Oh, look! He's perfect.

CALL THIS PERFECT! splutters the beetle.

Shitty mood he's in, says Sweezus. What's that on your face?

A curse, made manifest, says Arthur.

You look like a savage, says François-René.

He does. And it's strangely exciting.

It reminds François-René of Les Natchez, and the beauty of rituals.

Sit beside me, says François-René.

Show me the beetle, says Gaius.

Sartre comes over as well.

Sartre and Gaius both look down at the beetle, who looks up at them.

WELL? says the beetle. GO AHEAD AND SAY SOMETHING STUPID!

You don't know what it is to be human, says Sartre.

TOO STUPID! says the beetle.

Ha ha, laughs Gaius. A beetle with a sense of humour. Welcome to our team, beetle. But we can't call you beetle.

IDIOT! says the beetle.

That won't do, says Gaius. How about Scarabée?

Yes, says Terence. That's you, Scarabéetle.

He could play Cannot But Bée, says Baldy.

Yay! says Terence, getting down to the beetle. What if you were  a .....a....

Go on, ask him, says Baldy.

A beetroot, says Terence.

The Scarabéetle doesn't know the answer. But he would like to.