RangerKanoodles

George: And so, to our first contender. Good evening, your name please?

Will: Uh, good evening.

George: In the first heat your chosen subject was "answering questions before they were asked." This time, you have chosen to "answer the question before last, each time." Is that correct?

Will: Will Treaty.

George: And your time starts...Now! What is paleontology?

Will: Yes, absolutely correct.

George: What's the name of the directory which lists members of the royal family?

Will: A study of old fossils.

George: Correct. Who are Crowley Meratyn and Sir Horace Altman?

Will: Burkes.

George: Correct. What is the difference between a donkey and an ass?

Will: One's a retired Ranger and the other's a member of the royal family.

George: Correct. Complete the quotation "To Be or Not To Be."

Will: They're both the same.

George: Correct. What is Halt O'Carrick famous for?

Will: That is the question.

George: Correct. Who is the present Oberjarl of Skandia?

Will: He's a small man who tells bad jokes.

George: Correct. What do people kneel on in church?

Will: Erak Starfollower.

George: Correct. What do tarantulas prey on?

Will: Hassocks.

George: Correct. What would you use a rip cord to pull open?

Will: Large flies.

George: Correct. What sort of person lives in Redmondt?

Will: A parachute.

George: Correct. What is a jockstrap?

Will: A nutcase.

It all happened during a farewell ceremony for a retiring Ranger. Bows were raised, arrows nocked, pointed at the sky. A farewell to arms. It was the first and last time the bow salute will ever be used.

The ceremony is best summarized as follows:

Halt: That's the sound of my soul dying.