Tight Gene Pool

Humboldt and Gaius walk back to Maldonado's.

Gaius is wheeling the scooter.

Humboldt wears new blue hiking boots, with silver laces, breaking them in.

The neighbour peers through his window.

Opens his front door, to take back the scooter.

Many thanks, says Humboldt. Without the scooter, I wouldn't have got to the shoe shop so quickly.

You're very welcome. Nice boots! says the neighbour.

Humboldt hitches up his trousers, revealing red socks.

Red socks with blue hiking boots! marvels the neighbour. A bold statement.

They are bamboo socks, says Humboldt. Apparently very hard wearing.

I believe so, says the neighbour. Now go inside Maldonado's and deal with the smell.

For the second time, Gaius unlocks Pedro Vicente Maldonado's front door.

He and Humboldt head straight for the frog room.

Phoo! The three dead tadpoles are rotting.

Gaius opens a window.

Any news of our baby? asks Piffy.

We named him Gastro, says Gaius. He is making a new life at the foot of Chimborazo, with a female.

What female? asks Pi-face.

His sister, says Gaius. I hope that doesn't unduly offend you?

Of course not, says Piffy. As long as they're happy. It's a tight gene pool.

Are you going to tell them about the flap? asks Humboldt.

I wasn't, says Gaius. But since you've mentioned it, you can tell them.

Flap! cries Piffy. Is he a mutant?

We don't know, says Humboldt. He refused to come back with us and be further examined. The flap itself was positioned over one of the oblong dorsal patches......

That's enough, says Gaius. These frogs need some dinner. What are you normally given?

Waxworm larvae, says Pi-face.

Crickets, says Piffy.

Either, really, says Pi-face.

I'll get rid of these dead tadpoles, says Gaius. Humboldt, you search the room for dried food.

Gaius wraps the three dead tadpoles in a tissue.

He goes out of the back door to look for a bin.

When he returns, Humboldt is the only one in the frog room.

They jumped out of the window, says Humboldt. I encouraged them. Let them be free to find their own dinner.

And why not? says Gaius. There are sure to be crickets out there.

The neighbour's face appears at the window.

You might want these, says the neighbour.

What? asks Gaius.

Waxworm larvae, says the neighbour. But watch them. They're eating holes in the bag.

The bag being plastic, the two naturalists are naturally surprised.