20
Oh, look – this is quite a nice toilet. It’s well fragranced; almost enough to mask the smells.
And there’s some pleasant Christmassy muzak playing, too.
“Dad, why are there poems printed on the toilet paper?” ask Isobel, from her cubicle.
“I’ll read one out,” says the young boy, reaching in and tearing off a sheet.
Remember what you heard outside
…about the reindeer and their ride?
And if you miss the maze’s beast
Try out a tinkle on your feet!
What does that mean? What did we hear outside?
“Look, I need a wee… would you stand outside and wait for me?”
Go ahead.
Is he talking to himself in there? No. He’s reading the other poems through the door…
Unwanted gifts are centuries old
What kind of child wants myrrh or gold?
And who gives French hens by the brace,[*]
Expecting smiles upon your face?
Something about things you don’t want? Could be useful information?
“He’s stopped.”
Any more?
“Just one:”
Grumpy Santa’s the way to go.
If you’re just after tokens, don’t say no.
But even if he offers you a map
Don’t let that bloke sit on your lap!
That doesn’t scan very well… but might be useful later, I guess?
Okay, so… how do these poems help us to choose a door? There are two doors out… or we can go back out the way we came in?
Sorry – we should probably give the kids a chance to wash their hands first.
[*] Yes… I know. Is that a mistake or a clue, though?