Amazing Maurice - Exchange

I HAVEN'T SEEN YOU LATELY, MAURICE.

'No sir,' said Maurice, relaxing slightly. 'Been very careful, sir. Looking both ways when I cross the street and everything, sir.'

AND HOW MANY DO YOU HAVE LEFT NOW?

'Six, sir. Six. Very definitely. Very definitely six lives, sir.'

Death looked surprised.

BUT YOU WERE RUN OVER BY A CART ONLY LAST MONTH, WEREN'T YOU?

'That, sir? Barely grazed me, sir. Got away with hardly a scratch, sir.'

EXACTLY!

'Oh.'

THAT MAKES FIVE LIVES, MAURICE. UP UNTIL TODAY'S ADVENTURE. YOU STARTED WITH NINE.

'Fair enough, sir. Fair enough.' Maurice swallowed. Oh, well, might as well try. 'So let's say I'm left with three, right?'

THREE? I WAS ONLY GOING TO TAKE ONE. YOU CAN'T LOSE MORE THAN ONE LIFE AT A TIME, EVEN IF YOU'RE A CAT. THAT LEAVES YOU FOUR, MAURICE.

'And I say take two, sir,' said Maurice urgently. 'Two of mine, and call it quits?'

Death and Maurice looked down at the faint, shadowy outline of Dangerous Beans. Some other rats were standing around him now, picking him up.

YOU SURE? said Death. AFTER ALL, HE IS A RAT.

'Yessir. That's where it all gets complicated, sir.'

YOU CAN'T EXPLAIN?

'Yessir. Don't know why, sir. Everything's been a bit odd lately, sir.'

THAT IS VERY UN-CAT-LIKE OF YOU, MAURICE. I'M AMAZED.

'I'm pretty shocked too, sir. I just hope no-one finds out, sir.'

Death lowered Maurice to the floor, next to his body.

YOU LEAVE ME LITTLE CHOICE. THE SUM IS CORRECT, EVEN THOUGH IT IS AMAZING. WE CAME FOR TWO, AND TWO WE WILL TAKE… THE BALANCE IS PRESERVED.

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The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents - CH11