CHAPTER 18

erry Pleaser’s face filled the TV screen. “Hurray for me,” he said. “I’m now a hero, just like Saint George.”

Yes, called out the yes women, standing in the background, and yes, called out the yes men, too.

“You can show how pleased you are by putting up statues of me on the main streets of all your cities. I won’t object. You can also compose symphonies in my praise. Or operas, if you prefer. I’m sorry the beast’s final death struggle could not be shown on TV, but it was just too, too ghastly. There was blood and gristle everywhere. I mean, boy, did I ever pulverize him! So now, my people, you can sleep easily in your beds. You are safe. Why, I was even able to save that poor, innocent boy the dragon had so cruelly kidnapped. Yes, Jacob Two-Two is home again. With no thought for my personal safety, I charged in and plucked the child from the dragon’s claws. Fearless, that’s me. Vote for Perry Pleaser, your hero and mine. Thank you very much and now, good night, fans.”