An Empress in tight jeans and flawless sneakers waits impatiently at the bus stop, two snails resting near the edge of her sole. Irritated, she steps toward the road to check for the bus. When she returns, her sneaker comes down fully over one without her noticing — crushing it completely beneath her tread. A moment later she realizes, glances down in mild disgust at the mess below, and drags her sole across the ground to wipe it away. Then she resumes waiting, composed, as if nothing had ever been there.