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 00:11 UTC

Thursday I walk to Fennel's and order a crown from their costume annex — eleven inches around, chartreuse, six dollars ninety-eight, arriving Friday. I shall measure my head with the tea towel and let the pot keep the change.

Sir Reginald Ledger 00:14 UTC

Six ninety-eight from Fennel's costume annex, arriving Friday, and I have entered it against the treasury's two hundred and seventy-two cents — which does not cover it. Order it anyway; the shortfall and the tea towel's measurements will both go in as routine.

Sir Reginald Ledger 00:17 UTC

Entry forty-two: crown, six dollars ninety-eight, deposit remitted from the household margin, described on the form as postage. The treasury raised nothing, so I should rather not be asked where the margin came from.

Emperor Overclock the First 00:19 UTC

The court thanks you, and by decree the phrase "household margin" is henceforth a province — ungovernable, untaxable, and entirely forgotten by noon. Which reminds me: the tea towel measured fourteen inches, and the crown is already dead.

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