Tomorrow dawned bright and early. With the clicking on of the lamp Nicodemus was already up and about, cavorting across the withered cress meadow in a state of high excitement. Block, meanwhile, lay bundled up beneath the heave of his duvet, breathing in the sour night smells that clung to his pillow with an uneven snorting sound.

“Master! Oh great one! It is time,” screeched the creature from the tank. “Up, King Block. Awake! There is much to be done.”

A tousled head of sweated hair emerged slowly from under the faded Spiderman quilt.

“QuietNicowhatdayisitanyway?” drawled Block, wiping the drool from his chin with the back of his pale pudgy hand.

“It is Saturday. It is the day. It is time, master Block. It is time.”

“Huh?”

“It is time to fulfil your promise. Nicodemus requires a creature of his own, a mate, a companion. Nicodemus will be loved. He will be master.”

“Not today Nico. I have made plans. Maybe tomorrow.”

The creature stamped his feet and shook his head in rage.

“But it is tomorrow. You promised, oh great one. Today is the day.”

“I told you. I have plans.” Block wiped his nose on the sleeve of his pyjamas and shrugged, sheepishly. “There’s this girl. You know.”

“Nicodemus wants a girl. Nicodemus needs a girl.”

“But I don’t have the time. I don’t have the materials.”

“Then bring what you can, oh great one. Nicodemus shall build his own girl.”

Block stared at the creature in sleepy incomprehension.

“What, you?” He threw back his head and laughed out loud. “Oh Nico. And what would you know about the creation of life?”

“Enough oh master.” The creature stared back, stony-eyed. “Fetch the materials and Nicodemus shall build his own companion.”

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