The Rules

"Yes, the genie mentioned the rules a couple of times. Who comes up with the rules, anyway?"

"The powers-that-be, naturally."

"Where can I find a copy?"

"But everyone knows the rules."

"But I don't know these rules!"

"I just told you one of them."

"But I don't know them all!"

"That information is given on a need-to-know basis."

"I think that you make these rules up as you go along!"

"Heaven forfend. That would be against the rules."

Astra's head started to pound, and she felt face flush. She took a deep, short breath, and then replied, "Fine. You win this conversation. Let me find out where the goblet is, and get Fogeno to burn his last wish in a place where there are not likely to be other men present. Or at least other men who have not already had their chance to use the three wishes. One last question, just out of curiosity."

"Go ahead."

"Is there something magical about the goblet?"

Zerm replied,

1. "No. The complete set of goblets just ties the room together."
2. "Yes, there is. But not by iteself."
3. "There is. If you do find it, make sure that nothing greater than 30 proof is poured in it."

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