TIDBIT

Synopsis​

 

After an awkward exchange with some overbearing parents, Anton and Kath are excited to finally celebrate their first wedding anniversary together by making each other their favourite dishes: steak and pan-fried sea-bass.​

 

However, after attempting to devour their respective meals, the pair discover that they cannot swallow what the other has cooked for them. Initially they discreetly discard their regurgitated gourmet mouthfuls, but as the night continues, all pretence drops and their desperation for nourishment increases.​

 

The spotless apartment becomes a mess of half opened pizza boxes and Chinese takeaway as they order everything the world has to offer though nothing can be swallowed.​

 

In a feverish attempt to assuage their starvation, Kath initiates intimacy, and for a moment, this appears to feed them both, but their misattunement is unbearable, and they untangle themselves from each other.​

 

As a result of their sense of shame after their failed intimacy, they become violent and animalistic, resulting in Kath accidentally cutting Anton’s finger. Instinct takes a hold of Kath as she puts it in her mouth and swallows. In her horror at realising what she’s taken from him, she purges the entire finger. Anton takes what is left of his finger and bites down on it. He swallows. It goes down. Kath and Anton enable one another to eat themselves.​

 

The final moments of the story conclude with the reveal of their 2 year old daughter, Imogen, who appears wandering into the living room to discover the horrific aftermath. A bloody stump appears, attempting to feed Imogen, signifying that the cycle may be doomed to repeat itself.