It was the next day that Tepic dropped down through the manhole onto the sewer dock below, where the previous year he and the Morlocks had negotiated their Accord. There, on top of a post, was the broken eggshell, the sign that the agreement was at an end. He looked sadly at the end of what had been a good situation for both the urchins and the underground folk, but he remembered the terror he had felt as he left the breakfast.
As soon as he had been excused and stepped out of sight in one of the side tunnels he had legged it as fast as he could for the exit, grasping a flare in one hand and a thunderclap in the other, just incase… He had heard the protests and the start of the argument as he gained distance, Mortimer and Leviticus yelling that “dinner” was escaping. Thankfully Prince Thomas didn’t give anyone permission to leave the table until he was at a safe distance…..
Reaching into his pocket he pulled out a small, polished wooden box, carefully opened it and drew out a delicate egg shell. Placing it beside the shards of it’s twin he gazed at the shattered dreams they represented, then half turned as if to leave. Hesitating, he turned back and with a swift blow broke the shell, turned and shinnied up the ladder to the world above.
I believe an accounting of the accord the young gentleman mentioned in this most illuminating post may be found here:
http://cityofnewbabbage.com/reader/node/7012
with a follow-up referencing the quaint egg ritual here:
http://cityofnewbabbage.com/reader/node/7021
Phew, Tepic is safe! Well, until he gets himself into even more trouble that is.
I was wonderin’ why that kid was smellin’ like raw sewage and rotten eggs.
– Edward Hyde