Chasing Elegants - Lauren Ipsum: A Story About Computer Science and Other Improbable Things - page 90

“Sure, it's a lighthouse. In balloon form. See the big light up there?” Fresnel asked. There
was indeed a big lighthouse light hanging over them.
“But where's the long twisty staircase?” Laurie asked.
“There is the elevator instead. Easier for my old bones.”
“What about the lighthouse keeper's room?”
“You can just look over the side of the basket.”
“And the tower?”
“Don't need it! Inessential!” Fresnel said. “The essential part of a lighthouse is the light , not
the house.”
Laurie wasn't convinced. “You can't just stick a light on a balloon and call it a lighthouse.”
“I can't?”
“No!”
“Why not?”
“Because . . . it's cheating,” she said.
“Hmm. I think I see your point,” Fresnel agreed. “But as long as it works, the name doesn't
matter.”
“Yes, it does!”
“Maybe you're right,” he agreed again. “But I am a terrible host! You must be thirsty after all
that walking. Would you like some water?” Fresnel offered her a pitcher and glassware on a
tray.
“Oh yes, please.” Laurie took a cup and tried to fill it. The water splashed onto her shoes.
“ Hey! This cup has no bottom!”
“That's not a cup, dear child. It's a glass,” he said.
“This glass has no bottom. How am I supposed to drink out of it?”
“On second thought, that's not properly a glass,” said Fresnel. “It's a mug. See the handle?”
“Okay, this mug has—”
“On third thought,” he said, stroking his beard, “it's made of glass, but also has a handle. So
perhaps we should call it a glass-mug, or a mug-glass . . .”
“I don't care what you call it!” Laurie yelled. “It's got no bottom and the water . . . I mean,
um, you called it a glass, but it doesn't have . . . oh.” She turned bright red.