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} T.I.Oracle is seated at his favorite table at The Oraculary, the
} finest restaurant in town (or in the Universe, for that matter).
} He looks up in surprise at the brash Supplicant, who has dared to
} walk right up to the table and interrupt him at his meal. "What was
} that you said?" he asks.
}
} "I said, I'm eating fish, and I can't remember if I'm supposed to
} take red wine or white with that."
}
} The Oracle scowls briefly, but then a smile crosses his face as
} brightly as the sun peeking out from behind a storm cloud. A twitch
} of his finger summons Zadoc, the maitre d'.
}
} "Zadoc, bring a bottle of our finest white wine to our guest's table.
} But first, help him pick out the freshest fish. You know, from the
} special tank."
}
} "Sure thing, boss," croons Zadoc, understanding immediately.
} "If you'll come this way, Sir?" Zadoc leads the Supplicant over to
} a large fish tank, in which a few succulent-looking red fish are
} simming around lazily. "You're in for a treat," he explaines to
} the Supplicant. "It isn't every day the boss let's people sample Red
} Siamese Fighting Fish. They're very rare, and it's quite an honor.
} Something in what you said must have struck his fancy."
}
} "Um, well, gee, I was kinda thinking about salmon. But if it's such an
} honor... There, I'll take that one" he says, pointing at the biggest,
} fattest one, with the longest mouth.
}
} "Oh, no. That's not the way it's done." Zadoc whispers. "You can't
} just point. Protocol demands that you reach right in and pull it out.
} Carry it to the kitchen, and we'll take it from there. Don't hesitate,"
} he says, noticing the Supplicant's hesitation. "That'd be rude.
} I don't know why the boss has taken such a shine to you, but his
} moods switch kinda quick. See that Staff of Zot next to his table?
} Believe me, you don't want to give offense by not appearing eager to
} accept his hospitality."
}
} So, the Supplicant reaches into the tank, and <the next few seconds
} of the scene are censored>. The Supplicant stares at what's left of
} his arm, at the bright white bones and the bright red blood, and sees
} the answer to his question: both, red and white.
}
} Before losing consciousness, he manages to get off one last question.
} Looking across the room at The Oracle, he asks "Why?"
}
} And as his vision fades, he hears the answer, in stereo, as both
} Oracle and Zadoc say in unison: "You didn't grovel."
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![[IO]](https://kinzler.com/picons/db/domains/org/internetoracle/unknown/face.gif){kind=small}
