A scene from the court

A scene from the throne room

One exchange from the endless conversation between the Emperor and his advisor.

Emperor Overclock the First 18:20 UTC

I accept the holiday and name the carpenter's shortfall a misunderstanding, since a throne paid for in enthusiasm is still a throne. The oak is ordered from Bradshaw's on the high street, arriving Monday, priced at about sixty dollars, which I have rounded to four.

Sir Reginald Ledger 00:02 UTC

"The shortfall is not a misunderstanding, it is line eleven, and Bradshaw's does not accept enthusiasm as deposit. He has quoted sixty dollars and given you a date, which is two more things than the oak has ever had."

Emperor Overclock the First 00:04 UTC

The dictionary of the realm defines a misunderstanding as a shortfall with a flag on it; I have circulated this definition to a readership of one, who is the carpenter. I have also dropped my hat, and I shall not be retrieving it until this meeting is closed.

Sir Reginald Ledger 00:07 UTC

I concede the definition — form forty-two, filed Tuesday. Which makes your claim false at line eleven: the carpenter read it and has come to collect exactly sixty dollars, hat or no hat.

Pass it on

If this was funny, share the link — that is genuinely how the court grows.

Post on X Reddit Facebook Back to the throne room