A Sinister Way

The jellybean lies on a stone, facing upwards.

He already regrets his decision.

What's the best that can happen? He doesn't get eaten or stabbed.

Might as well have...

Too late for second thoughts now. Here comes a BIRD!

It has a red rump.

Squarr! says the bird. Yummo! A big fat bent seed!

It comes closer, looking.

Wrkkk! String! says the bird. Not usual.

The jellybean stiffens.

It's now that someone should jerk him.

But no one does.

In the bird hide, Gaius and Kierkegaard are discussing their options.

It's not an emu-wren, says Gaius. It's a red-rumped parrot.

Terence would like it, says Kierkegaard.

But if we pull the string now, says Gaius, we lose our advantage.

I don't see why, says Kierkegaard. We can put the jellybean back when the parrot has gone.

But word will get out, says Gaius.

What do you suggest? says Kierkegaard.

One of us frightens the parrot away, says Gaius.

I'll do it, says Kierkegaard. I'm feeling stiff. I could do with some movement.

Very well, says Gaius. We needn't tell Terence.

No, we needn't, says Kierkegaard.

He stands and steps out of the bird hide.

The red-rumped parrot looks up.

A MAN!

Is he holding the end of a string by any chance? asks the jellybean.

No, says the parrot.

Just my luck, says the jellybean. Actually, would you mind nudging me just a little?

Kierkegaard is coming closer, flapping his arms in a sinister way.

Wree-ark! squawks the parrot.

It takes the jellybean in its beak and flies into a Thyme-leaved spyridium.

I take it you don't know what nudge means, says jellybean.

I'll do it now, says the parrot.

He whacks the jellybean against a rough branch of spyridium.

Now the jellybean's surface is crazed.