{VOICE} 01

[strongrelation]

A cheerful, playful laughter echoes over the intercom. It sounds happy, perhaps, too happy, to be in this sort of situation. Finally the laughter dies out and is followed by the sound of two dull thuds, as if someone were placing his feet on a table.

I figured since I could, I'd tell you all a story. A real old fashioned fable!

The voice clears

Comments

[Voice]

[andouillette]

[Dulled applause.] Bravo~ Certainly a tale I would expect of you, Turkey. There is one thing that interests me, though; why would the lion allow the fox to speak to him in the end? Was there perhaps some injustice on his part, was he also afraid of the fox?

Ah, speaking of foxes. [Clears his throat.] I know one or two fables to do with them. Care to listen?

[Voice]

[strongrelation]

[There is laughter, playful and friendly]

Or perhaps, the lion was simply allowing his prey the time to feel comfort before being devoured.

[and there's a pause, as if contemplating the offer] Seeing as we have all the time in the world, I would love to hear one from you.

[Voice]

[andouillette]

[Chuckles.] What an interesting approach. Very well; I trust you'll find this interesting. [A slight bump as he adjusts the microphone.]

A great, old fox, quite the hunter of his time, once found himself caught in a trap. Unable to free himself so easily, he escaped, and lost his tail, to his great shame.

At the next council of the foxes, he spoke up and asked his comrades, 'Why do we carry this useless weight with us? This weight that drags in the mud on the woodland path? What good does this tail do us? It must be cut off. If you believe me, then each one should resolve to do this.'

'Your point is valid,' replied one of the group, 'But turn around, and then you shall know our answer.'

He did so at these words, upon which an almighty cry arose from the pack at the sight of the absent tail. So loud that the poor fox could not argue any further. And thus, the norm for having a tail continued.

[In a softer voice.] Excuse me; it is difficult to retain the same tone in another language.

[Voice]

[strongrelation]

Heh.

What do you think? Cast off that extra weight, or hold onto it for the sake of your pride!

[Voice]

[andouillette]

[Clears his throat a little.]

Quite a good analogy for some of us here, I find. Not many of us are willing to accept these 'proper names' for the sake of pleasing the staff...

Or, rather, we are unable to accept them. No greater proof of pride!

[Voice]

[strongrelation]

[There's silence for a moment, followed by a dull rustling, as though a gloved hand were running over the stubble of a beard]

HA! Pride is a beautiful thing!

[Voice]

[andouillette]

Such a grave sin, but no better indulgence. [A satisfied sigh.]

It's the difference between the great Turkey and... 'Sadiq', was it?

[Voice]

[strongrelation]

[An angry sounding grunt.]

Sadiq is such an awful name.

[Voice]

[andouillette]

[Softly laughs. Then his tone turns bitter.]

At least it's original. Francis. That is all.

[Voice]

[strongrelation]

Sadiq is as common a name for me, as Francis is for you.

[Voice]

[andouillette]

Really now? Complete lack of effort on their part, I say! At least 'Pierre' or 'Jean-Jacques' or... actually, those are pretty mundane too.

[Voice]

[strongrelation]

Heh. I think it shows an incredible amount of effort! Think of all the names they had to come up with! Ahaha!