Toby Trescothik had always loved magical Manchester with its raw, ratty rivers. It was a place where he felt unstable.
He was a sweet, selfish, tea drinker with ugly arms and hairy warts. His friends saw him as an anxious, ancient animal. Once, he had even saved a fresh blind person that was stuck in a drain. That's the sort of man he was.
Toby walked over to the window and reflected on his chilly surroundings. The sun shone like partying bears.
Then he saw something in the distance, or rather someone. It was the figure of Matt Gump. Matt was an admirable juggler with ample arms and handsome warts.
Toby gulped. He was not prepared for Matt.
As Toby stepped outside and Matt came closer, he could see the spicy glint in his eye.
"Look Toby," growled Matt, with a scheming glare that reminded Toby of admirable lizards. "It's not that I don't love you, but I want peace. You owe me 1306 pounds."
Toby looked back, even more sparkly and still fingering the magic ruler. "Matt, eat my shorts," he replied.
They looked at each other with stressed feelings, like two enchanting, early elephants eating at a very cold-blooded bar mitzvah, which had orchestral music playing in the background and two generous uncles smiling to the beat.
Toby studied Matt's ample arms and handsome warts. Eventually, he took a deep breath. "I'm afraid I declared myself bankrupt," explained Toby. "You will never get your money."
"No!" objected Matt. "You lie!"
"I do not!" retorted Toby. "Now get your ample arms out of here before I hit you with this magic ruler."
Matt looked healthy, his wallet raw like a teeny-tiny, troubled teapot.
Toby could actually hear Matt's wallet shatter into 1306 pieces. Then the admirable juggler hurried away into the distance.
Not even a cup of tea would calm Toby's nerves tonight.
THE END