2025 Chapter Denouement 2.0

In the far distance of the meadow, a giant strides over the horizon towards the cave. Thousands of boxes, linked together and articulating comprise the monster, now rapidly approaching, shaking the ground with each stride. Bits of dust fall from the ceiling of the cave. The woman in the meadow turns and sees the giant thing and screams.

Veronique observes the woman, and realizes her realm and the meadow are one, the giant is coming to destroy Veronique. She is stricken with terror and screams. Joe laughs maniacally, as if possessed.

A battle is implied and her slave Joe is compelled to save her, shouting, "Do not fear the monster, Veronique, your destiny is to rule! I am the King of the Clique and now your sworn servant, no enemy can stand against us!" Filled with berserker fire, Joe pulls her screaming, resisting puppet body through the portal.

The meadow. A pinkish flaming ring appears in the air, from which boots fall out. Then naked feet appear in mid air, followed by legs as Joe slides out. He is cradling a child in his arms, standing on tip toe in the grass, as he completely emerges from the pink blob of light. The beautiful child still glows from the light, 3 or so years old, wearing the robes of Veronique. The cloth clings to child's body, glistening with liquid. The woman in the meadow is lying back in the ground, fearful yet fascinated.

She Box is towering over him, fists raised as if to crush them both. He looks up, shakes this head to disperse an unpleasant dream and starts to laugh. She Box crouches and drops back to sitting position with a great trembling of the Earth. The crone rushes up and indignantly snatches the baby away.

"Disgusting Box Lover, give her to me! I know you, you're that fucker Joe who's been sneaking around trying propagandize the people with your archaic poems. Go ahead, try and tell me the boxes aren't being controlled by the elite to subjugate the people!

"Return the child to me, for I must corrupt her with my lies!"

"Nothing doing. Your magic is all just smoke and mirrors, like that!" pointing to She Box. "Give me a break. I've raised a passel of kids, my own and others, I know nonsense when I see it. I'm not afraid of you, get lost."

"You've not seen the last of me crone! I will return three times and on my final visit..."

"Take a hike, beat it you before I hide you with my shillelagh!" She brandishes a stout staff, turns and walks off.

"Nice touch, the obligatory old woman archetype. How did you pull that off?"

"The mystical secrets of the divine feminine are incomprehensible to you, being a man and all."

"That's a relief. I was expecting a long and complicated explanation, with lots of emotional nuance. Now we can just enjoy a little peace and quiet."

"Well, I never!"

"Yes, you have. I was there, remember?"

"Cad"

"Hussy"

"Avante!"

The giant She Box bends and extends and arm, and Joe climbs into her hand. She straightens and strides off, palm out and extended. Over the surface of the boxes words form.

"and they lived happily ever after."

Joe's coat billows in the wind.

End