The Nibble Incident

Now the five crabs are in their proper containers, with the correct concentrations of microplastics, according to Gaius's calulations.

Kierkegaard emerges from the bathroom, his knee plastered.

All going well? asks Kierkegaard.

Yes, says Gaius. There was nearly an upset, but I have rectified the situation.

What happened? asks Kierkegaard.

A change of position, says Gaius. The control crab is no longer nearest the window. Her friend is.

Ah, the one with the shortest future, says Kierkegaard. That is kind.

Yes, I thought so, says Gaius. It was Terence who moved them.

Me, says Terence. I moved them. They asked me first.

Kierkegaard peers into the breakfast bowl nearest the window.

She looks well, says Kierkegaard.

I am well, says Alexander-Yellowsun. It's nice near the window.

Yes, more light, says Kierkegaard. Comforting, when you know death is near.

You could not know that, says Alexander-Yellowsun.

I could, says Kierkegaard. I live in fear of dying prematurely, due to the curse of my father.

A curse? says Alexander-Yellowsun. Bollocks. A curse is very different from immersion in a high concentration of microplastics, where a premature death is a foregone conclusion.

I agree, says Kierkegaard. It makes me wonder why you agreed to cooperate.

Since Terence told us what happened to Frog, says Alexander-Yellowsun, I am even more determined to do it.

Why, what happened to Frog? asks Kierkegaard.

Ask Terence, says Alexander-Yellowsun.

Kierkegaard looks at Terence,

What? says Terence.

What happened to Frog? asks Kierkegaard.

Splattered, says Terence. He fell out of the window. Ageless was watching.

A frog should have landed on its feet, says Kierkegaard.

Frog didn't have feet, says Terence. Just a head.

Yes, says Gaius. A head full of  questions about science. I remember we took him to a science talk at the Science Exchange, in the days before it went digital. There were nibbles afterwards and a chance to talk science. Frog was most disappointed.

Why was that? asks Kierkegaard.

He was mistaken for a nibble, says Gaius. Of course, I saved him from being eaten, but he was shaken.

What fool would mistake a frog for a nibble? asks Kierkegaard.

Frog was a tomato, says Gaius, which does partly explain it, but it was evident he had an intelligent facial expression.

Alexander-Yellowsun was previously unaware of the nibble incident.

But it only serves to confirm what she knows already.

Life is uncertain. Death isn't.

She swallows a mouthful of microplastic rich seawater, and turns her face to the window.

Light streams in, as she thinks about science........