‘So now you know what you can do, the rats will never kow-tow tothe whims of kings again. I do not abdicate in favour of another.’Saul paused theatrically.

‘I declare this Year One of the Rat Republic.’

Pandemonium. Rats tearing around the room, terrified, excited,liberated, aghast. And above the hubbub and confusion, Saul’s voicecontinued, his speech nearly at an end.

‘All equal, all working together, respect going to those whodeserve it, not just those who claim it… Liberty, Equality… andlet’s put the "rat" back into "Fraternity",’ he concluded with agrin. This way, he thought, maybe I can get a bit of peace.

He raised his voice over the clamour.

‘I’m not Prince Rat, I’m not King Rat… Let the Betrayer clingto his outmoded title if he wants, pathetically hankering for thepast. From now on there are no kings,’ said Saul.

‘I’m just one of you,’ he said.

‘I’m Citizen Rat.’

Alone again.

I’ve done this before.

You can’t keep me down.

Watch your back, Sonny.

I’m the one that’s always there. I’m the one that sticks. I’m thedispossessed, I’ll be back again. I’m why you can’t sleep easy inyour bed. I’m the one that taught you everything you know, I’ve gotmore tricks up my sleeve. I’m the tenacious one, the one that locksmy teeth, that won’t give up, that can’t ever let go.

I’m the survivor.

I’m King Rat.