vii

the council is
meeting the
notes are read:

the mayor speaks
"regarding the
proposed hotel

the required infra-
structure is
all in place-

new roads
and roundabouts
extra parking

pathways
lighting
and flora

at considerable
cost to the
taxpayer

and environment
so now
we are only

waiting for
the investors
to pull out-

(and we will
all be the
richer for

that-)
(hear!hear!)
regarding

the rats and
their timely
demise-

any comment
from the floor?!
the member for

saxony-east
rises to his feet-
"your honour!?

congratulations
due on his
mastery

command
and strategy
and dominant

execution there
of..
of ridding
us

of the presence
of
the before-

mentioned
rodents
of course

if that bizarre
horse should
show

claiming
rights
to any reward

we hope
he may be
shown

the door
(again)
both

figuratively
and of
course-

literally?!
ha!ha!
hear!hear!

(champagne
and
cigars
­
on me!)...
from the balcony
tchick

bizarre horse
is it
show me

a door
is it
a hush

falls on
the chamber
only

a gentle snore
emanates
from somewhere?

the pied piper
gentle in his
righteous

fury
democracy will
save us!?

is it-
I cleansed the town
of rats

and claim my
500 duccats!
(as is my right)

-did you sign a
contract?
(the cry of

a legal eagle
in flight!)
contract?

no agreement
no disbursement-
bless my britches!

-is there no
honour!?
he turns

to the mayor-
you will not pay?
(you will not pay)

you will pay
you WILL pay
ha

do not make
me
do not make me

do this
what are you going to
do-

bring them back?!
ha
get a job?!

the pied piper
strode
away

an alacrity touched
with terrible
sanity

past the door
with a sardonic
sneer

and once more
into the street
tchick went jess

ominously
the aldermen
followed to see..