Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?
A contestant on "Who Wants to be a Millionaire?" had reached
the final plateau. If she answered the next question correctly,
she would win $1,000,000. If she answered incorrectly,
she would pocket only the $32,000 milestone money.
And as she suspected it would be, the million-dollar question was
no pushover. It was, "Which of the following species of birds
does not build its own nest, but instead lays its eggs in the
nests of other birds? Is it:
A) the condor;
B) the buzzard;
C) the cuckoo; or
D) the vulture?"
The woman was on the spot. She did not know the answer.
And she was doubly on the spot because she had used up
her 50/50 Life line and her Audience Poll Lifeline. All that
remained was her Phone-a-Friend Lifeline, and the woman had
hoped against ! hope that she would not have to use it. Mainly
because the only friend that she knew would be home happened
to be a blonde. But the contestant had no alternative. She called
her friend and gave her the question and the four choices.
The blonde responded unhesitatingly: "That's easy. The answer
is C: The cuckoo."
The contestant had to make a decision and make it fast. She
considered employing a reverse strategy and giving Regis any
answer except the one that her friend had given her. And
considering that her friend was a blonde, that would seem to be
the logical thing to do. On the other hand -- the blonde had
responded with such confidence, such certitude, that the
contestant could not help but be persuaded.
"I need an answer," said Regis.
Crossing her fingers, the contestant said, "C: The cuckoo."
"Is that your final answer?" asked Regis.
"Yes, that is my final answer."
Two minutes later, Regis said, "I regret to inform you that that
answer is . . . absolutely correct. You are now a millionaire!"
Three days later, the contestant hosted a party for her family and
friends -- including the blonde who had helped her win the million dollars.
"Jenny, I just do not know how to thank you," said the contestant. "Because
of your knowing the answer to that final question, I am now a millionaire.
And do you want to know something? It was the assuredness with which you
answered the question that convinced me to go with your choice. By the way
. . . . how did you happen to know the right answer?"
"Oh, come on," said the blonde. "Everybody knows that cuckoos don't build
nests. They live in clocks." --