An Empress in wide-leg trousers and white sneakers waits for the bus, unaware of the snail resting just behind her heel. As she idly drags her foot against the pavement, her sole catches it — and with a single careless motion, crushes it completely beneath the flat tread. She lifts her foot, glances down at the flattened trace left behind, then shifts her position without concern. The moment passes as easily as the step that ended it.