Back to the action, and now that things have moved on in the real world so does the fictional one.
The four of them squeezed and there way back through the crowds towards the cage. The Cat led, followed up by Lister, Rimmer and finally Kryten. As they approached the cage the crowd became thicker and they had to squeeze through the mass of bating bodies, until at last only one large Gelf stood in their way.
The Cat sized the large yellow bodied individual up, he was at least a good two foot taller then him and you could of comfortably stood two people on his shoulders one each side.
"Errr excuse me buddy, but can you move, we can't see." Said the Cat to the Gelf.
The Gelf ignored him, so he tried again. "Hey, could you move you oversized butt out of the way please?" asked the cat more forcibly.
This caught the Gelfs attention and he turned to look down at this creature that had made a reference to his size, if there was one thing it really hated it was people commenting on his size. He snarled at the short creature that stood in front of him.
"What you say shorty?"
The Cat who to be fair was not quick on picking up on threats repeated his question. "I said me and my buddies can't see because your huge backside is in the way. Why don't you go to the back and do us all a favour."
The Gelf snarled but seeing no threat from this little creature decided to get back to the fight and simply turned leaving one word hanging in the air. "No."
The Cat having got nowhere decided that diplomacy was getting him nowhere fast, so he tried a new approach. He disappeared into the crowed and a short time later returned with two hefty looking officials. As they approached the large Gelf, the Cat pointed and said. "That's the guy fella's, he was the one giving the candidate the wink."
The two large official types swung into action and 30 seconds later the large Gelf was in tears and being led away through the crowd.
"I had to do it, they said they would take away my little puppy if I didn't." he sobbed.
Lister looked at the Cat, unsure of what had just gone on. "How did you know he was giving one of them the wink?" he asked.
"I didn't but I figured if this election thingy was that important they wouldn't want a big lug messing it up."
Lister and Rimmer exchanged looks; sometimes the Cat really surprised them.
The four squeezed into the gap left; however it was now larger somewhat as several onlookers gave Cat a wide berth.
"Right what's happening, why are they all laying on the floor?" Asked the Cat.
Inside the cage, the three contestants were stretched out on their backs. Several wounds could be seen but none looked serious.
"Kryten, what you reckon?" asked Lister.
"Best guess, they have exhausted themselves sir." Replied Kryten eyeing the scene.
"What you mean it's over?" asked the Cat.
"I am afraid it looks that way only now there is a bigger problem." Said Kryten.
"What, the undertakers got a coffin and no body to fill it?" quipped the Cat.
"Not quite, but in a roundabout way your analogy fits sir. With all three still alive there will be no clear winner." Said Kryten.
Rimmers face brightened. "Arrhh I've heard about this, this is when there is a hung parliament, no clear winner so two have to join forces to overcome the other." He said.
"Indeed sir, but I fear on this planet that could mean anything." Said Kryten.
Lister pointed to the door of the Cage. "Look something's happening." He said watching as the tall man with the staff entered once more.
The man walks to the middle of the cage, eyeing the three still motionless on their backs. Finally he stops and hammers his staff onto the ground.
"They new the rules, they came to fight, but we have a stale mate and that ain't right. Now a higher order will have to decide their fate, look now for here she comes, the maker of this town and the rules to which we succumb."
The man points his staff to the top of the cage and a small window flips open and a short figure dressed in black appears. It halts briefly at the entrance and then glides to the floor below its black cloak flowing as it descends.
"Who's that?" asked Rimmer.
"I don't know but I like her style." Replies the Cat.
"Must be some kind of head honcho around here." Guessed Lister.
The figure waits for the crowd to be silent once more then slowly pulls back it's hood to reveal the person within.
"Smegging hell Rimmer isn't that your mum?" asked Lister pointing at the short women bearing a very striking likeness to Rimmers mother.
Rimmer stared open mouthed at the image in front of him. One word quietly slipped from his lips. "mother?"
Next time: Can Mother sort out the Election mess.
