The Beast’s Boils

The Beast has boils. And the only way to remove a boil is to boil it. Rachel (now returned—shssh) is eager to help, but is only allowed to simmer the oil. The Beast protests violently. He destroys a garrison of lower guard and trashes a forest. At times he can be quite naughty. Several witches who have survived the tumbrel are tossed to him. They are grizzly and awful. And dripping wet. We snatch the lonely and beautiful peasant girl. On the rack she admits acts of an unnatural nature. We toss her in too. But the Beast is not placated. He remains fractious and disagreeable. Only Rachel can administer the boiling oil. She appears on the highest battlement in her nurse’s uniform and begins to pour. The Beast rolls on his back groaning. ‘Very well,’ we say gruffly, ‘very well.’ Each of us has the Beast’s interests at heart. We push roughly past Rachel. We can’t dawdle here, we have things to do.