T he Pillar, me, and the Executioner are sitting around a table in the middle of his garden. I can hear the sounds of war in the distance, still not sure what his men are fighting over.
But the war is the least of my worries now. It’s the Executioner and his sadistic games. He literally wants us to play a game now.
“It’s a very easy game,” he says. “But most entertaining to me.”
The Pillar says nothing, and neither do I. The Executioner had each of us hold a gun and place it atop the table, both hands placed palm down.
“Here is how it’s going to be played,” the Executioner says. “I will ask you a question.” He is talking to me. I’ve become his priority now. He thinks I am mad, and it amuses him. “If you give the right answer, you will pass for this round. If it’s wrong, I will shoot you.”
“Suspenseful.” The Pillar puffs his cigar. “I love suspense.”
“Then it’ll be your turn to ask me a question.” The Executioner is still talking to me. “If I answer it the wrong way, you can shoot me.”
“Justice,” the Pillar says nonchalantly. “Not a fan.”
“Then Senor Pillardo will join in,” the Executioner follows. “Easy game. Tell the truth, and you will live.”
“How can you tell I am telling the truth when you ask me?” I say.
“The same way you can tell I am telling the truth when I ask you.” The Executioner grins.
“Nonsense,” the Pillar comments. “My favorite.”
“I’m not following,” I tell the Executioner.
“Here is the thing, young lady,” the Executioner says. “This is a game of nonsense—which, if you think you’re Alice, you should know a lot about.”
“Trust me. Nonsense has been my middle name since I met the Pillar—I mean, Senor Pillardo,” I say. “But I still don’t have a grip on this game.”
“Here is how this game is really played,” the Pillar finally interjects. “The thing is that all the questions asked have only one answer.”
I tilt my head, worrying I am not going to grasp this fully.
“All questions in this game are answered by saying ‘Hookah Hookah,’” the Pillar explains, his eyes on the Executioner. I am more curious than ever to know whatever is happening between those two. “I ask you, ‘How are you?’ You answer, ‘Hookah Hookah.’ I ask you, ‘Where have you been?’ You say...”
“Hookah Hookah, I get it,” I say. “So how is anyone supposed to know if the other is telling the truth?”
The Pillar and the Executioner exchange mean looks for a moment.
“It’s how you say it, Alice,” the Executioner explains. “If you can convince me with your tonality and facial expressions it’s the truth, then it’s the truth.”