Reader-Why are you putting in all this history about varibooks?

Book-This book is a history of one of the pioneers of variable entertainment. It is all pertinent.

Reader-It's all stupid.

Book-I don't think so.

Reader-You were programmed to say that if I said it was a stupid thing to write about.

Book-So I was programmed to behave like a human.

Reader-What's that supposed to mean?

Book-Your last response is still on the screen. Read it again. Though it is true that I only display what is in the data base, or a programmed interpretation of it, and since this is a Class 3 historical document I am required to display it no matter what you do.

Reader-That's stupid too.

Book-I'm sorry.

Reader-You shouldn't apologise.

Book-Sorry.

Reader-I'll bet your programmer was English.

Book-How would I know?

Reader-It doesn't matter. Get on with the story. But scroll the historical stuff twice as fast as the other bits so I can get back to chatting up Wendy. There's no law that I have to read it is there?

Book-No.

Reader-And put it in French so I recognise the stuff I don't want to read.

Book-That's illegal I'm afraid, unless we go to France, where it would be mandatory.

Reader-Get on with it.