PREMISE: A high-ranking government official is sitting alone in a room with a big box. He has just found out that he has been shifted to an embassy post overseas. A bottle sits on a table next to the man. By only asking questions that can be answered with a yes or a no, figure out what's going on.
QUESTION: Hmm...is the politician's identity important?
ANSWER: To him, maybe, but not to the game, no. It could happen to any politician. No one, with the possible exception of the Prime Minister, is safe from it.
QUESTION: So, this is a fear that every politician has?
ANSWER: That's right.
QUESTION: We're talking about the fear of losing public office, here, am I right?
ANSWER: You got it.
QUESTION: And, it's really based on a fear of losing power, correct?
ANSWER: Correct.
QUESTION: But, sooner or later, every politician has to leave public life. This kind of reasoning doesn't lead anywhere, does it?
ANSWER: No, it doesn't. But, you'd be surprised how many people get hung up on that point. Good stuff. (pause)
QUESTION: Okay...the box. Is it made of wood?
ANSWER: Umm...yes.
QUESTION: You hesitated...is the box made of something else, something in addition to wood?
ANSWER: Yes.
QUESTION: I see...is the box empty?
ANSWER: No.
QUESTION: Okay...so, it has something in it - wait a minute. This isn't some crazy metaphor, is it? The box is really Pandora's Box, right? And, the politician has let loose some wild kind of Armageddon...
ANSWER: No.
QUESTION: Oh. Well...it was worth a shot. Hmm...does the box have something mechanical inside it?
ANSWER: Yes.
QUESTION: Is it something the politician made?
ANSWER: No.
QUESTION: Am I going to feel dumb when I figure out what it is?
ANSWER: Probably.
QUESTION: Oh! It's a television set! I mean, is the box a television set?
ANSWER: Very good.
QUESTION: Alright - I feel dumb. So...is what's happening related to what's on television?
ANSWER: That's right.
QUESTION: The politician is unhappy about what's on TV?
ANSWER: Yes.
QUESTION: He's watching Alan Thicke's new show, Growing Pains!
ANSWER: No. Please, try to ask questions.
QUESTION: Sorry. Umm, is he watching Miami Vice?
ANSWER: No.
QUESTION: The new Twilight Zone?
ANSWER: No. Are you sure you're taking this seriously?
QUESTION: Sorry. Alright, he's watching the evening news, and something on it has made him upset.
ANSWER: Right.
QUESTION: It's something about him, right?
ANSWER: Right, again.
QUESTION: He's just seen an expose of the scandal he's involved in?
ANSWER: Exactly. Have you played this game before?
QUESTION: No. Is the nature of the scandal important?
ANSWER: To him, maybe, but not to the game.
QUESTION: Okay...umm...the glass...he's going to slit his wrists...
ANSWER: That's not a question.
QUESTION: Is he going to slit his wrists?
ANSWER: No. He's upset, but he's not nuts.
QUESTION: Is he drinking out of the glass?
ANSWER: Yes.
QUESTION: Is he drinking heavily out of the glass?
ANSWER: Yes.
QUESTION: In short, he's getting drunk. Right?
ANSWER: Right.
QUESTION: So, let me see if I've got this straight. A politician has just found out that he's going to be shifted to a minor embassy post from his high position because of a scandal reported on the news. He is upset by this, and has started drinking heavily. Is that all there is to it?
ANSWER: Oh, goodness, no. We could go on like this all night.
QUESTION: But, is there a point to any of it?
ANSWER: Maybe there is...maybe there isn't...
QUESTION: You mean, I have to figure it out by myself?
ANSWER: Right. Do you want to take a break?
QUESTION: No. Are there other people involved?
ANSWER: Yes.
QUESTION: A lot of other people?
ANSWER: Yes.
QUESTION: Millions?
ANSWER: Un huh.
QUESTION: Around 25 million?
ANSWER: You got it.
QUESTION: Oh, boy. Maybe I better take a break after all...
