Death by Scrabble
What does the narrator begin to believe about words he plays in Scrabble?
He believes they are causing real-world events that correspond to their meanings.
What does the old man call his deadly potion instead of calling it a poison?
He calls the deadly potion a "glove-cleaner" or "life-cleaner."
According to the characters in the story, how does meat communicate?
Meat talks by flapping their meat at each other (moving their lips).
What illness did Patient D have before receiving the transplant?
Patient D had colon cancer.
What is the first word the narrator plays on the board?
He plays the word BEGIN.
What is the name of the woman Alan is in love with?
The name of the woman Alan loves is Diana.
How do the aliens know humans are made of meat?
They picked several humans up, took them aboard their ship, and examined them.
What animal's digestive system was transplanted into humans?
A pot-bellied pig's digestive system was transplanted into humans.
What tile does the narrator steal from the bag?
He steals a blank tile from the bag.
Which of the two potions is more expensive, and how much does it cost?
The more expensive potion is the death potion, and it costs five thousand dollars.
At the end of the story, what are the characters going to do?
They are going to contact a shy but sweet hydrogen core cluster intelligence in a class nine star in G445 zone. This life form was in contact two galactic rotation ago, and wants to be friendly again.
What side effect did the operation have for patients?
Those who received the surgery had insatiable hunger but only for nonfood items.
What word does the narrator's wife play as the room starts to shake?
The narrator's wife plays the word DEATH as the room begins to shake.
Which of the two potions is less expensive, and how much does it cost?
The less expensive potion is the love potion, and it costs one dollar.
How long has meat been trying to contact other life?
Meat has been trying to contact other life for almost 100 years.
What visible physical mark did the procedure leave on a person's body?
The procedure left a scar at the base of the throat (a badge they wore with honor).
What happens at the end of the story?
The narrator dies by choking on the B tile as his wife watches without helping.
The old man says "Customers come back, later in life, ... and want more expensive things." What is he implying?
The old man is implying that Alan will come back for the death potion later in life because he will grow tired of Diana's intense devotion.
What is the characters' official rule about sentient races they encounter?
They are required to contact, welcome, and log all sentient races without prejudice, fear, or favor.
What social problem did the charity group Les Bons Samaritains say the operation would solve?
They said the operation would end poverty by eliminating malnutrition and reducing the money the government spent on food and healthcare for those on welfare (social assistance).