Loving But Cross

Sprocket takes off his shoes.

Grace makes a face like a mother.

Loving but cross.

Sprock! says Grace. You know you've got that persistent toe fungus!

Shizz! Forgot, ma, says Sprocket.

It'll have multiplied rapidly, under that gold paint, says Grace.

Yeah, yeah says Sprocket, embarrassed.

Shu has had that same toe fungus, but controlled it with vinegar and careful pruning.

He contemplates speaking up.

But Grace has opened the turps bottle.

Keep the gold question mark on your face if you want to, says Grace, but get that paint off your toenails.

Sprocket takes a tissue from a box on Graces's desk, tips turps onto it and starts rubbing.

Want to see the rest of the video? says Arthur. We have to get going.

Yes, all right, says Grace. Oh this is pretty!

She is looking at Ar-Lu-Lun, aloft in the lamplight, inside his glass jar.

She looks at the actual spider, in the actual jar, which Shu is still holding.

Remarkable, says Grace, what good lighting can do.

It's a very special spider, says Shu. It's going to China. It may be Chinese.

What's special about it? Remind me, says Grace.

It's a type of maratus, says Shu. A peacock spider. The males display beautiful patterns on their abdomens when mating.

When hoping to, says Ar-Lu-Lun.

Is there any footage of this beautiful mating performance? asks Grace.

No, says Sprocket.

I don't wish to interfere with your artistic vision, but couldn't you get some before he goes to China? asks Grace.

(There's a thought that no one has thought of).

We'll do it, says Arthur. Now watch this. This is Sprocket's test Tour de France video.

Grace watches, surprised. Sprocket has never been a keen cyclist. What has happened?

Sprocket rides past the camera, at night, on a fold up bicycle. Sand sprays onto the camera. Shu runs past with sharp sticks, turns and cries No don't film me!

Grace laughs. It's funny. And okay, Shu is running with sticks, which you shouldn't do, but he is an adult.

It's not meant to be funny, ma, says Sprocket, scowling.

You do ride very fast, dear, says Grace.