Chapter 22
"Sir, may I go now," piped a baritone to Fishface's left. Fishface looked over and saw Roughchin standing there. Roughchin continued, "I've finished. I … I need some time alone."
"Roughchin always alone lately," Fishface told him. He paused. "Anyone else know about new job of Roughchin?"
Roughchin trembled and shook his head.
Fishface smiled. "Princess not only one to have metal in room." He patted Roughchin on the head. "Roughchin hard worker. Fishface honor him with time off."
"Thank you," Roughchin exclaimed with relief. "I just want some time to meditate and calm my nerves."
Fishface nodded. "Yes. Go. Hard work deserves hard rest."
After Roughchin left, Fishface walked out of the Great Hole and headed toward a cave with half a ceiling, the far end of the cave being just a rock-lined ledge over a wide chasm. As he walked, he wondered if Blundig had started to hate the ways of the bald Fraggles. Bald Fraggles had to work harder than the others. This bred good diligence and honesty.
Blundig had always had a habit of saying lots of important words to trick Fraggles into getting her way. She was very good at it. He could tell it impressed Crooner as well. Fishface despised such talk. The way to ensure honesty was to keep one's sentences simple. The more words spoken, the more chances a Fraggle had to pull the wool over your eyes.
Sometimes he wondered who was better at convincing, Blundig or that infernal Minstrel.
Fishface stood at the entrance to the cave, watching as Fraggles finished up driving bamboo posts into several nooks. It would make an excellent prison, he thought to himself.
He stared at the two holding cells.
He could name several Fraggles he'd like to see there.
Fishface smiled as he returned to the Great Hole, humming briefly.