Despite his sarcastic musings, curiosity gnawed at him. The tunnel twisted and turned like a labyrinth, the rhythmic tapping growing louder with each inch. Alex pressed on, driven by a mix of curiosity and adventure. It's not like there was anything else going on... Maybe just a touch of stupidity too

Eventually, the tunnel opened up into a larger chamber, and Alex found himself face-to-face with the source of the noise: a small, mole-like creature with oversized glasses perched on its snout, tapping away at a series of tiny, intricate gears and mechanisms. The mole looked up, startled by Alex's sudden appearance.

"Well, what do we have here?" the mole said, adjusting his glasses and peering at Alex. "A worm, of all things! And you look like you've seen better days."

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Tell me about it, Alex thought sarcastically, though he couldn't actually speak. Instead, he wiggled in what he hoped was a friendly manner. At least I'm not the main course—yet. I mean, what's a little lunch without a side of worm, right?

The mole seemed to understand. "Ah, forgive my manners! My name is Mortimer. I'm a tinkerer and inventor. What brings you to my humble workshop?"

Alex wiggled again, trying to convey that he was simply exploring and had stumbled upon the noise. Mortimer nodded, seemingly getting the gist. "Curiosity, eh? Well, you've come to the right place! I'm working on a new invention—something that might interest a fellow creature of the earth like yourself."

Or it might end up being a worm-sized coffin, Alex thought, eyeing the gears warily.