The Masked Owl

The bandy bandies can move fast when they want to.

They enter Pinky, through her shredded finger.

Look around.

It is totally dark inside Pinky.

not-YET, says one.

YET-sleepee-time-no, says the other.

They exit Pinky.

How distressing for Pinky, says Kobo.

On the other hand, says Ageless, she looked more like herself, with snakes inside her.

True, says Kobo. It's one way of solving her problem. The snakes could sleep inside her in the daytime. And come out at night. Of course, Pinky would then have no night life.

Leaving you and I free, my beloved, hints Ageless.

Kobo does not reply.

Terence has been scrabbling under the jackbean for his magic crown prison.

Here it is! He has found it!

Get in, prisoners! says Terence.

They have something to tell you, says Kobo.

The bandy bandies shuffle, not having the words yet.

They want to sleep inside Pinky, says Kobo. Just in the day time. And think, how nice that will be for Pinky. One of their black and white striped tails protruding, perhaps, from her tattered finger.

Did they TALK? asks Terence.

No, says Kobo. It was their actions. They simply went in.

But then they came out again, says Ageless.

Fool! says Kobo. Why mention the obvious?

Okay, says Terence. But what about Pinky? Can she talk with snakes inside her?

She is sure to, says Kobo. I know I would, if it were me.

Heh-heh, sniggers Ageless.

The Masked Owl flies overhead again, screeching.

It's the same one as before.

There are not enough Masked Owls about, these days.

A dog barks.

The cabin door opens.

Gaius is an early riser, and dawn is breaking.

it-daytime-YET-YES!!

My knife! cries Gaius.

Ageless apologises.

And what has happened to Pinky?

My prisoners will fix her! says Terence. They said so!

Prisoners? You mean the bandy bandies. Well done Terence! What did they say exactly?

Gaius kneels to get a good look at what happened and what's going to happen.

The bandy bandies crawl into Pinky.

day-YET-weee!

The striped tip of one of their tails hangs out of Pinky.

Pinky stretches and heaves, then settles.

O! What happened? Did I win? asks Pinky.