An Empress in wide denim and white-and-pink sneakers waits at the bus stop, unaware of the snail resting between her feet. She shifts lightly once — nothing happens. Then another natural movement brings both soles down fully. The snail is crushed completely, reduced to a soft, flattened trace beneath her sneakers. She doesn’t even notice. Moments later, the bus arrives. She steps on and leaves without a glance back, the mark behind her already meaningless.