There are 252 ways to win at connect four

[onlyanapple]

In amongst all these awfully important questions, I think a riddle is in order. An oldie, but a goodie, in my humble opinion.

Everyone was on a first name basis until suddenly someone got something in his eye. What happened?

If you get the right answer, you'll get nothing but the satisfaction that you got it right.

[No, wait, he can make it fun for him, too.]

...That and a mystery gift.

Comments

[onlyanapple]

I want a lot of things. It's your job to make an offer, and mine to decide if it's interesting enough.

[im_the_doctor]

Interesting enough... Interesting enough... Well, while I have plenty that I find more than interesting I have no idea what you would consider to be. Ball of string perhaps? I personally never leave my TARDIS without one.

[onlyanapple]

I'm not even sure what I'd do with a ball of string.

[im_the_doctor]

It has endless amounts of uses. Great for tying things together, or tying things up, or around your finger so you'll remember, or to floss, or to find your way, or to play conkers, or to play that game with the string and your fingers... Do you know what I mean?

[onlyanapple]

Cat's Cradle?

Hmmm, all very humdrum, mortal things, and I could always wish for a ball of string, but I do find you marginally entertaining, so sure, why not.

[im_the_doctor]

[ The Doctor snaps his fingers loudly. ] That's it!

You're not the first to say that... Although, I must admit, I do have my idiosyncrasies.

Mortal things... You're not mortal than?

[onlyanapple]

Yes, I am well aware of that.

Not even a tiny little bit.

[im_the_doctor]

Are you now? I take it we've met before, then?

I on the other hand don't happen to recall...

[onlyanapple]

We have. Several times, in several different forms, in your case.

You wouldn't. Paradisa works that way.

[im_the_doctor]

Ah. Lucky you!

Hmmm, yes, then it would seem you will need to introduce yourself at least one more time... And didn't you say you were going to provide me with a clue?

[onlyanapple]

Name's Crowley. On occasion known as the Serpent of Eden.

Hmm, I suppose I could. It's something to do with a battle.

[im_the_doctor]

Ohhh.... As in the Devil? Lucifer? Satan? Beelzebub? [The last is dragged out as if he's enjoying saying the word - which of course he is. ]

[ There's a small huff of annoyance that he can't figure out the riddle. He's usually very good at things like this and he's sure the answer is staring him in the face. ]

[onlyanapple]

No. I work for the Devil. Beelzebub is someone else, too. One of the higher ups in Hell to be sure or is that lower downs?, but still different from the Boss.

[im_the_doctor]

Sounds like Hell has quite the hierarchy. And where exactly do you fit in the grand scheme of things?

[onlyanapple]

The bottom. I'm stationed on Earth.

[im_the_doctor]

Uh, not any more. Think they may have forgot about you. [ Curious ] What do you do for Hell while on Earth?

[onlyanapple]

The boss showed up here once, but it was only for a short stint. Mostly, I think they're glad I'm out of their hair.

Little pockets of sin, mostly. I'm supposed to be screwing quietly with humanity to tip the scales for Hell, but I'd rather not see the world end, so I try to balance it all out.

[im_the_doctor]

And, why's that? A troublemaker or a demon with a conscience?

[onlyanapple]

If the world ends, I won't have anywhere decent to drink.

[Also the conscience thing. Not that he'll admit to that.]

[im_the_doctor]

No alcohol in hell? Well that's rather surprising!

[ He doesn't have to. His choice for an answer gives the Doctor a pretty good idea. ]

[onlyanapple]

No, they don't understand how it works. No electricity, either.

[im_the_doctor]

Living in the dark ages... Well dark ages minus the alcohol, for some that would make it very, very dark.

[onlyanapple]

Add in all the tortured screams and the rivers of blood and/or fire, and well. It's not exactly Disneyland.

...Or maybe it is, it's an easy mistake to make.

[im_the_doctor]

No, doesn't sound much like...

[ The Doctor stops short. At first he looks horrified at the though but then bobs his head left to right thinking about it further. ]

Yes. Right. I'll give you that.