Until Someone Eats The Last Pickle

Terence goes over to the three Alexanders.

What’s going on? asks Alexander-Groovy.

 You’re getting a top up, says Terence. And I have to ask you.

Ask us what? asks Alexander-Retro. If we want one?

Yes, says Terence. Do you want one?

No, says Alexander Groovy. I don’t want one. Do you want to know why?

I want one! says Alexander-Curly.

You ALL have to have one, says Terence.

That’s what I mean, says Alexander-Groovy. Why ask us, if we all have to have one?

Terence can’t remember why. It’s probably good manners.

It’s good manners, says Terence. Now let's see what happens.

The crabs wait, to see what happens.

You're all quiet, says Terence. That proves you all have good manners.

But YOU don’t! says Alexander-Groovy. The situation is this. If I don’t want a top up, and they do, but we all have to have one, then where are YOUR good manners?

That wasn’t the question, says Terence.

What was the question? asks Alexander-Curly.

You’re not meant to ask it, says Terence.

How can we not ask it if we don’t know what it is? says Alexander-Retro.

Okay smarty-bottom, says Terence. The question is why?

Why? asks Alexander-Retro.

Evaporation, says Terence.

What’s that? asks Alexander-Retro.

The answer to why you need a top up, says Terence

This makes good sense. The three crabs examine their water levels. Yes, they have gone down slightly.

Even Alexander-Groovy is now willing to accept a top up.

I suppose the girls have already had a top up, says Alexander-Groovy.

Only Alexander-Red-Hook, says Terence. The other one died.

She DIED? Alexander-Yellowsun? Their sister? The mother of their children?

Where is she?

Not in the pickle jar, says Terence. She can't go in it until someone eats the last pickle.

The crabs stop wailing.

Knowing this helps, for some reason.