Wordplay

## Dialogue

**L**
*"What a pleasing coincidence to see you here, Cross. Or perhaps it is destiny?"*
*"After enjoying some idle chitchat with Mr. Nagi, we were attempting to play a little word game that he taught to us."*
*"It is a game played by many Earth cultures called shiritori, word chain, and antakshari–among other names."*
*"The rules are simple: choose a word that begins with the final sound of the previous word. Yet our attempts to play have all ended in failure."*
**Cross**
Choice A – *Play*: *Play with L to help him improve his skills.*
**L**
*"We are most grateful."*
*"Then if we may be so bold, would you choose a word with which to start the game?"*
**Cross**
Choice B – *Decline*: *Explain to L that you're not familiar with the game.*
**L**
*"But...we've been told anyone can play it! And yet, we cannot! And until we learn, how will we ever be accepted by the humans in this city?"*
*"The Ma-non and Nopon struggle with this as well. It is an issue that could divide us at a time when unity is sore and needed."*
*"We trust you share our desire to see the various residents of New LA live together in peace?"*
*"Then we insist you play a game with us. You need only speak a single word."*
**Cross**
Choice A – *Say "Game"*: *Begin with the word "game."*
**L**
*"Quite fine. Mr. Nagi had mentioned that a straightforward word is the typical opening."*
*"Then we must say a word that begins with an "mmm" sound. Like...mimeosome!"*
**Cross**
Choice B – *Say "BLADE"*: *Begin with the word "BLADE."*
**L**
*"An interesting gambit. Then we must respond with a word that begins with a "d" sound."*
*"How about...district?"*
**Cross**
Choice C – *Say "Whale"*: *Begin with the word "whale."*
**L**
*"So we need a word that begins with an "l" sound..."*
*"How about "Lifehold"?"*
**L**
*"It's strange how we don't seem to have any problem playing this game with you, but were so unsuccessful when playing with others."*
**Cross**
Choice A – *Theorize*: *Suggest the other players didn't understand the rules.*
**L**
*"We do not believe that was the issue. The Ma-non and Nopon with whom we played were quite confident that they understood the rules completely."*
*"Oh! Of course!"*
*"How could we have missed it? The answer is oblivious (sic)!"*
*"Each of the players in the game was speaking an entirely different language!"*
*"We were speaking English, the Nopon was speaking Nopon, and the Ma-non was speaking Ma-non."*
*"Somehow we were able to communicate, but of course the sounds that formed our words would have differed from language to language."*
*"How could we have failed to notice that?"*
*"So we must attain a sufficient level of fluency in the Ma-non language to play word games properly..."*
*"It's settling (sic) then. It you'll excuse us, we have a great deal of studying to do."*
(END)
**Cross**
Choice B – *Observe*: *Say that all players need to speak the same language.*
**L**
*"Oh!"*
*"But of course, you're exactly right! How could we not have realized that?"*
*"Each of the players in the game was speaking an entirely different language!"*
*"We were speaking English, the Nopon was speaking Nopon, and the Ma-non was speaking Ma-non."*
*"Somehow we were able to communicate, but of course the sounds that formed our words would have differed from language to language."*
*"We are so glad we came to you with this problem. Your powers of perspiration (sic) are second and (sic) none!"*
*"So we must attain a sufficient level of fluency in the Ma-non language to play word games properly..."*
*"It's settled then. If you'll excuse us, we have a great deal of studying to do!"*
(END)