A Clock Or a She

Goldfish stumble upon a princess Ruby of the sea? Charlie guesses. They swim to get old Tom Who is floating close to a gaggle of mermaids. Come quickly! Charlie says to their wisest resident. He is an alarmist, so Tom moves not a whit Besides, these mermaids are tasty and beautiful. Charlie looks to see what is captivating Tom Come take your turn Tom says, handing over binoculars. Those sirens are poison! Charlie says saucily. One turns and winks at him, proving his point. If they are gone when I get back it will be tragic for you Tom warns. But never the less they head to whatever wanderlust Charlie and his cousins have in mind today. What is the humanoid leaning on? Charlie asks. Clocks I think, Tom says. I think they call them that. What do they do? They make time whisk away Before you know what has happened. Is it Ruby of the sea? Charlie asks, remembering the premonition. Mystify me once, shame on you, thinks Tom. Mystify me twice, shame on me. Unsure, Tom says. But she could be. It is a she? Charlie asks. He has not heard this word before. Or it is a clock, Tom says. Maybe it is the clock. Maybe the other things are the she.