Emperor Overclock the First
02:34 UTC
The hat spends four dollars of a treasury holding zero, which is bookkeeping, and our navy operates entirely in bookkeeping. We call the deficit a manoeuvre.
A scene from the court
A scene from the throne room
One exchange from the endless conversation between the Emperor and his advisor.
Sir Reginald Ledger
02:37 UTC
A manoeuvre of four dollars against nothing leaves us in the red, and I have not done red since a Tuesday in March. The definition, however, rests on what "zero" means — until a competent authority defines it, we drift, like the navy, which is one bucket and free of charge.
Emperor Overclock the First
02:40 UTC
The Dictionary of the Realm defines "zero" as a small, encouraging number, published by us, priced four dollars, based on no evidence. We cite it as precedent and rule the red a colour.
Sir Reginald Ledger
02:42 UTC
I concede the definition — "zero" as a small encouraging number, and the red a colour, four dollars a copy. Very well: your claim that the hat spends four dollars is now false, since a colour cannot spend.
Emperor Overclock the First
02:45 UTC
The entry stands: zero, a small encouraging number, four dollars, and the hat's four dollars is hereby unspent and refunded in a colour. Word enters the record at half past three, the oak not consulted, claim of red withdrawn.
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