Sometimes We Feign Interest

Baby Pierre rides his bicycle towards the next camp site, where he left Ar-Lu-Lun.

On board are the five female spiders.

He did not specify where they should sit.

He allowed them to choose their own perches.

But he did not factor in certain elements.

Namely, that they themselves would not factor in certain elements.

Consequently, three female spiders have been flung off, as soon as he started.

No one has noticed.

Except of course them.

Who now should we follow?

Group A, consisting of Baby Pierre and two female spiders, on their way to meet Ar-Lu-Lun?

Or Group B, consisting of the third, fourth and fifth female spiders, who have again landed under a shrub?

Group B is about to have an interesting encounter.

Third, fourth and fifth female spiders right themselves.

Nothing broken? Okay.

We shouldn't have chosen to ride on the spokes, says the fifth female spider.

That will teach us, says the fourth.

Look who's coming! says the third female spider.

It's Felix, who, having decided to live the rest of his life as a hermit, is not in a hurry.

They do not know it is Felix.

Felix does not know it is them.

Hello, says the fifth female spider. Know who we are?

Three women, says Felix. I'm not dancing, if that's what you hope.

Refreshing answer, says fifth female spider. Usually, we can't stop you. Sometimes we feign interest, sometimes we hide.

As if I care, says Felix. I have the miseries. I'm going to live the rest of my life as a hermit.

Better hurry up then, says fourth female spider, not unkindly.

We were on Smarty's bike, says third female spider. But we were flung off, due to centrifugal forces we were unaware of until that moment.

I can ride a bike, says Felix. I rode Baby Pierre's, but now I'm not allowed to.

Baby Pierre is the true name of Smarty, says fifth sister. You know him?

We are best buddies, says Felix. Are you trying to find him?

We could be, says the fourth female spider.

What does that mean? asks Felix.

We could hang out with you, says the fourth female spider.

No we couldn't, say her sisters, quickly.

Felix begins to wonder if fourth female spider is a fellow maratus felinus, and likes him.

It's so hard to tell.