In a quiet tide pool, Kril, a misanthropic hermit crab, is informed by a loan shark (represented by an unknown entity carrying a shark toy) that the tide pool has been annexed by the undersea Duchy of Slacktide, and Kril owes backtaxes. Unable to pay, due to Kril having been separated from ocean society for most of his life, the Loan Shark confiscates his shell as collateral and returns to the ocean.