Knock knock, Alice.

Knock, knock.

‘Who’s there?’ said Alice.

‘Use your famous logic. Have a guess and pass the jam. You can tell me who I am.’

‘Is that you Hatter?’

There is laughter outside the door.

‘You expect me to know all about that.

You expect far too much of me.

You tell me. I’m too scattered.’

Alice frowns.

‘Well, what have you been doing all this time?’

‘Making hats of course. Like mine.’

Alice nods.

‘It must be you then, don’t you think.’

‘I don’t think at all. And that’s not logic.

Other people make hats you know. ‘

‘Not like yours.’

‘Alice. Now don’t flatter me.’

‘Why don’t you just come in?’ said Alice. ‘You’re being very irritating!’

‘My hat’s changed colour. It’s liberating. You might not know me in this hat.’

‘What colour is it now?’ Alice asked, exasperated.

‘Its madder. I got badder.’

‘That’s terrible grammar. Lacerated.’

Hatter grinned like the Cheshire Cat and muttered underneath his breath,

‘Does it madder?’

Alice heard. ‘Yes. It does.’ Alice sighed.

‘Well anyway my hat’s got madder. Quicksilver trimmed and Crimson Madder. And don’t be stubborn. You could come in.’

‘But I’m already inside!’

Hatter scowled. ‘Inside what? I’m in. You’re out.’

Alice stamped her foot.

‘That’s not logical at all. It’s my door. It was you who knocked.’

‘Yes, I did. Because it’s locked. Now let me out you crazy girl.’

‘Don’t call me crazy. You’re the Mad Hatter.’

‘See. Now you’ve answered the question your asked. Come in Alice. We both know now.’

© A.Chakir 2023