The phone rang.
“Hello
“Yes, is that the man with the answer?”
“Which particular answer were you after?”
“The answer to the Great Riddle, I mean.”
“Yes, this is he.”
“Ah! Well…”
“What is it you want?”
“I want to know!”
“You want to know what, precisely?”
“The answer.”
“The answer to what?”
“To the Great Riddle.”
“I’m afraid I cannot do that.”
“Oh! What a great pity; I wanted confirmation.”
“You believe you have the answer then?”
“Yes. I feel quite sure that I do.”
“I see.”
“Won’t you please help me?”
“That I can answer, but only in part.”
“What part?”
“One fifth.”
“Well, OK then; one fifth.”
“Are you sure you want it?”
“If that is all you can offer; yes.”
“Good answer. Depending on your next response, you may receive two fifths.”
“Very well. What is your answer to ‘won’t you help me?’ ”
“No.”
“Thank you.”
“Good response! You get two fifths, but I’m afraid no more than that.”
“Accepted. Please give me two fifths.”
“No, but…”
“I see. Thank you.”
“Good bye.”
“Good bye.”
The phone went down.