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Let's see... let's see... let's see... says the behemoth and then repeats the phrase a dozen or so more times such that he wonders whether the creature is actually a machine that has malfunctioned.
Let's see, let's see, let's see, let's see...
Gradually, the words slur together into a reptilian sibilance:
lesseeleseeleseelesseeleseeseeseeseeseeseeseesee
A rocky index finger flips the pages of the book (miniscule in the creature's hands).
Finally: Oh! oh oh oh oh oh! Hear it is! Hear it is! Now, says the behemoth, eyeing him over the bifocals, you say you... wish to... join the committee, do you?
Yes, says the man, now barely able to control the urge to call this creature an uncivil name. What must I do?
Do?
Do!
Oh, you don't really need to do anything. Let me see your left hand.
He holds his hand up to the creature.
In a motion so fast he hardly registers it, the creature produces a sword and cuts the hand off a few inches above his wrist.
WELCOME, NEW COMMITTEE MEMBER!!! screams the creature.