A BEETLE'S LIFE: CHARACTER INTERVIEWS

Dim relaxed on a big rock, specially moulded for a rhino beetle to sit on. A good distance to his left, Maula was also sitting on a rock moulded to give space for a pointy abdomen – or in this case, a stinger. She was grooming herself – and by grooming, I mean she was sharpening her claws and the spikes all along her limbs. On Dim's other side, Cora and Rosie were chatting about something inconsistent, but they seemed to be enjoying themselves. And finally, on their far right, Francis was relaxing on a flat plant cushion. His antennas were on end because he kept running his fingers through it. They were all in the main colony clearing, and there was no one else to be seen.

'So...'

Everyone stopped relaxing and became attentive to the voice in front of them, even though we couldn't see who was saying it.

'Dim, being the main focus here, what's it like?'

'Well,' chuckled Dim, 'it's a great honour. That way, I'm cute –' he made a gesture at Cora, who chuckled as well. Maula rolled her eyes in boredom '– I'm tough –' he held up a foot, and Francis buzzed over and slapped it with his hand, buzzing back to his seat afterwards '– I'm smart –' Maula let out a laugh of disbelief at this, which got her glares from Cora and Rosie, but particularly from Francis '– and I'm brave. I'm the whole package!'

'Okay... Being a rhino beetle, how do you respond to those accusations that your species is stupid and that you question nature?'

'Well,' said Dim in thought, 'they were problems. Especially –'

FLASHBACK BEGINNING
Maula gave a brief nod, and the hornets smashed Dim's head against the rock repeatedly. He let out natural groans of pain in between.
'This,' said Maula to the circus bugs and the beetles, 'is what happens – to those – who question NATURE!'
FLASHBACK ENDING

'– That,' finished Dim, shooting another glare at Maula, who returned the glare. 'But we found a way around it eventually.'

'That you did, Dim. And we're all very glad for you. Okay, Maula –'

Maula grunted in disgust, jerking a spare claw at her crown, which, along with her red-and-black color scheme, made her seem even more vicious, even compared to Satan.

'QUEEN, Maula...'

Maula smiled in pride, while Francis rolled his eyes, unnoticed by any of the others.

'You're caused a lot of pain and death to numerous fellow insects, and you don't even care. Why is that?'

Maula sighed in irritation. 'Let me explain; I'm a hornet queen. Those insect you referred to are coleopterans. We are enemies. Therefore, me being the superior, I shall rule them for them defying nature. And not in a nice democratic way!' she suddenly yelled, making the others flinch, except for Francis, who looked quite angry. 'In an evil way!'

'Right... What scares you?'

Maula looked shocked at these words. 'Scares ME? Frightens ME?' Maula laughed at these words. 'I'll tell you what scares me –'

'Mir!' shouted Heimlich, appearing out of nowhere. Maula jumped, and all the others laughed.

'Get outta the interview!' she spat at him. Heimlich jumped out of the way. All the others were still grinning. 'Pathetic larva lepidopteran...'

'Got any secrets you feel like sharing with us?'

'I find inspiration from the world's many female villains,' smirked Maula, leaning back in thought. 'Like the Alien in Alien, and the Queen in Snow White, and... Um... The Alien...'

'Right... Now, Cora and Rosie –'

'Ooh, ooh!' interrupted Francis, hovering above his seat. 'Me next!'

'Okay, okay... So, Francis, what was the best part of getting involved with Dim?'

'I got to beat up hymenopterans – a lot!' smirked Francis, hovering above his seat, and swinging his arms, as though to punch. Over on the other side, Maula scowled in disbelief.

'Um... Any hornets in particular you liked using those... ah... fists of power on?'

'Man,' said Francis, rolling his eyes, and looking very smug with himself, 'where do I start? Well, there's Maula – love punching that chump, uh, chumpette.'

FLASHBACK BEGINNING
'Ah!' yelled Maula, swiping Francis up from the ground with a yelp from him. Francis struggled in Maula's grip, but she was about four times taller than he was.
FLASHBACK ENDING

'And drone hornets are always good for a knuckle sandwich or two, said Francis, forming a fist with both his hands. 'But lately, my favorite punch bag would have to be Amber. She thinks she's so tough. "Oh, look at me, I'm so loyal to Maula, I've earned a name!" mocked Francis. He then spat on the ground in disbelief.

'So, you're really tough, then?'

'Tell me something I don't know,' said Francis, leaning back and running his fingers through his antennas again.

'But what about... your feminine side?'

'What did you just say?' said Francis angrily, standing up, and hovering closer.

'Nothing, nothing! So, with all that, um... masculine fighting, do you ever worry about casualties?'

'Sing a new song, would ya? Of course not! And neither does Heimlich. Whenever you see him doing anything dangerous – it's me in a chubby costume!'

'I heard zat!' came a voice from some distance away.

'Anything else?'

'One-armed wrestle?' said Francis, raising his right arm.

'Oh my, gotta move on Francis – sorry!

'So, Rosie and Cora –'

'Wait,' said Cora, stopping the interviewer's sentence. 'Why is her name first?'

'Don't worry,' shrugged Rosie. 'He probably just put our names in alphabetical order.'

'Oh, right,' said Cora. Then her eyes lit up. 'Hey, then that would mean –'

'Was it a special moment when you two met?'

FLASHBACK BEGINNING
'Each other,' said Rosie and Cora, at exactly the same time. Both looked very surprised to see the other even exist, let alone speak with exactly the same voice. They stared at each other, as though not really believing it.
FLASHBACK ENDING

'Next question,' grunted Cora and Rosie simultaneously, a little agitated.

'So, uh, were you surprised to discover each other's existence?'

'Yeah,' said Cora gloatingly.

'Not really,' said Rosie. 'Dim had mentioned her by accident. Besides, there are trillions of insects out there. Surely some are identical, like us!'

'Cora,' how do you answer those who say you not as tough as Rosie?'

'I'm tough!' yelled Cora, making all the others jump. 'I'm just as tough as anyone else. Want me to beat up Maula – I'll do it?'

'What did I do – today?' said Maula in shock.

'Maybe another time... So, what's next for all of you?'

'Well,' said Dim, 'I'll visit the colony when I can, and perform at the circus, and remember everything I learned along my original and unique journey.'

'Francis?'

'Same here,' said Francis,' except I'll beat up any hornets as well!'

'Right... Maula?'

Maula didn't even give any sign that she'd heard the interviewer.

'Rosie and Cora?'

'Same as Dim,' said Rosie.

'Dig some earth tunnels,' wondered Cora, 'and watch over my children and, well... dig some earth tunnels.'

'Queen Maula?'

'Hell,' said Maula shortly.

'Well, it's being real, chatting with all of you. See you later!'