The gnomes swarm over the petrified Johnny. Stone chips and dust form
a cloud around the pedestal. Johnny can feel his clothing being
chipped away. The gnomes pause to survey the naked statue of Johnny.
From his petrified state he can only see the gnomes out of the corner
of his eye. The ones he sees have their chins in their hands and are
heavily scrutinizing him. They hem and haw. Then their hands drop
from their faces and they all speak in unison.
The cacauphony is practically unintelligible. Johnny makes out bits of
phrases and words, and what he hears is making him very very nervous.
"...hooves..."
"...horns..."
"...cock needs straightening..."
"...(j)ust lop ...off..fig leaf..."
"...put face on otherside, and recarve rest..."
"...let's make another gnome..."
" ...cut..."
"...chop..."
"...grind..."
"...drill..."
"...tail on right fetlock..."
"...dick'll be tiny if we add foreskin..."
"...beard requires smaller head..."
"...think it'll be nearly a foot shorter if we do that..."
Finally, one voice says, "Enough."
The gnomes are silent for a moment.
Then the head gnome says, "Let's do it!"
The gnomes leap into action. Chips and dust fly frantically. Johnny
is terrified as the eager sculptors go to work on his face and body.
His lower body and face seem to be the primary focus of the demonic
artisans.
The whirring of stone being chiseled and ground echoes in Johnny's
ears. His whole body is vibrating at the ministrations of the tiny
men.
"Hey, what's that noise! It sounds like it's coming from over here!"
He hears a human male voice shout, but with all the noise from the
gnomes, he can't be certain who shouted. But he's certain it's his
brother or one of his brother's friends.
The gnomes hurriedly finish up their work, and rapidly sweep the dust
and chips away from the pedestal increasing the gravel around the
fountain. Then the gnomes resume their former positions at the
pedestals base, and freeze.
Johnny can see as the dust clears his reflection in the murky water.
He's been transformed into a stone satyr! All he can think of is Mr.
Tumnus in THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE.
Just then the bushes part and ...