New Crack

Thud. Crack.

Ageless hits the ground.

All right down there? calls Stanley.

It was further down than I expected, says Ageless.

Kid ran off, says Stanley. I should've warned you.

He should have warned me, says Ageless. 

Anything broken? asks Stanley. Sunglasses stay on?

The sunglasses have fallen forward on an angle.

Ageless takes them off. No cracks in the sunglasses.

This is good news and bad news. 

Because we all heard a crack.

He replaces the sunglasses on top of his head and heads to the Reddy Express.

Terence is standing at the entrance.

Sorry, says Terence. I stopped bending too early.

You did, says Ageless. But I got down from the bus without incident. 

Your sunglasses didn't even fall off, says Terence.

They tipped forward, says Ageless. I'm considering a strap.

To hold them on? asks Terence.

In extreme situations, says Ageless. By the way, would you do me a favour?

Okay, says Terence.

Check me for cracks, says Ageless.

Terence checks Ageless for cracks.

You've got cracks everywhere, says Terence.

Those are normal cracks, says Ageless. We lobsters need them for movement.

Why don't I have cracks? asks Terence.

You're probably covered in fine cracks, says Ageless.

Check me, says Terence.

No, this is about me, says Ageless. Do you see any new cracks in my carapace?

Terence looks again.

That might be a new one, says Terence. 

He touches the crack.

Is it a big one? asks Ageless. 

No, a little one , says Terence. And it's right at the back. No one will see it.

Everyone will see it, says Ageless. And I'm not due to moult for some time.

Let's ask Gaius, says Terence. He's eating a sandwich.

They go over to where Gaius is eating a sandwich and Denis a hot pie. 

Ageless had an accident, says Terence.

Minor, says Ageless. But I have a new crack.

Denis stifles a laugh and makes a mental note to tell Henriette.

Gaius looks at the crack.

I could smear it with fish glue, says Gaius. 

Pass, says Ageless. That stuff stinks.

Not once it's dry, says Gaius.

Forget it, says Ageless. I'll just look for a strap.

A strap, says Gaius. There's an idea. 

For the sunglasses, says Ageless.

Ah, says Gaius. But it would be dual-purpose.

He visualises an adjustable strap, attached to the sunglasses, and stretched tight around Ageless's body to close up the crack.