Alice's hand drifted out, almost from habit, as if to scroll.
“Ahem. I serve a different function." sighed the Mouse. “He clicks, I talk.”
Giggling, Alice tucked her hands into her lap. “How curious! Do you tell stories?”
“Indeed,” said the Mouse while whacking his tail. “Short stories—shorter than this.”
“Then tell me about William the Conqueror. No longer than a meter.” Alice suggested eagerly.
“William the Conqueror,” the Mouse began—“Hrrmph!” (as solemnly as a mouse could manage)—“flanked by a swarm of grown-drones, drove his AI-guided limousine, armoured in diamonds, straight into the heart of battle...”
“That’s not the William in my lessons!” Alice broke in, a little rudely (though she did not mean it).
“Little lady, listen close!” the Mouse squeaked, puffing his whiskers, “Everyone—yes, everyone—loves absurdity!”
He twitched his tail for emphasis. “It’s the only thing that truly generates TraFFic."
