The Beheading of Astra

Astra shrugged.. “It’s a fair cop.”

Gilder turned back to Astra. ”Since you are doomed to die anyway, Princess. I wonder if you might indulge me and my advisors by assisting us in an experiment. You see, we have been debating whether a decapitated head dies immediately, or whether it remains conscious for a few minutes before finally perishing.”

”I’ve often wondered that myself,” confessed Astra.

”Here is what I propose: if you should find that your head is still alive after the executioner cleaves it from your body, could you do us a favor and blink three times. It would settle quite a few bets.”

”Sure, why not?” said Astra. “In the interest of science, of course!”

”Splendid! Let the execution commence!”

The executioners assistants guided Astra to the chopping block, where she lay her head.

”Any last words?” asked Gilder.

”Yeah,” Astra replied. She looked to Fred. “Thanks a lot, jackass!”

The executioner raised his axe, and a silence swept through the room. With a swift blow, he brought the blade down, cleanly removing Astra’s head. He then picked up the head and held it aloft for all to see. Gilder, Fred, and the rest of the court gathered around to see what happened next…

1. Astra’s head blinked three times!
2. Nothing. “The head is dead,” said Fred.

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