FB: "Well, tell me, PTMD, if you are a dragon, does that cause us ideological differences?  For example, in the tradition of Tom Clancy, in his latest novel, "The Bear and the Dragon?"

PTMD: "No, I think in this case the reference is more to one's (my) past, rather than a statement of current social condition and the economic and pedagogical issues relevant thereto.  In this case, you may think of me as a harmless (to you, anyway) dragon, and may, if you wish, shorten the acronym to a simple 'D'."

FB: "All right, then, and to be equitable, a very righteous characteristic required by all those who wish to ascend to higher levels, you may call me, simply, 'B'."

D: "Fair enough, B.  Now, on to our discussion relative to how I might suggest to help you out of your current dilemma, that being, of course, the efficient disposal of one skinny scrawny runner now in your grasp.  BTW, is he slipping?  He seems to be a very slippery character."

B: "No, I've got a hold on him that won't let go, although, if I hadn't sharpened my claws Friday I might not keep him long.  How would you propose, D, that we get on with it?"

D: "Well, I might observe that the runner in your grasp, Blubbering Bob, is a friend of mine, although he is a little on the tiny side.  Rather, I should say.  And what would appear on first blush to be a potential meal for one so hungry as yourself, may in actuality be nothing more than an annoying snack, merely whetting you appetite, but doing nothing, really, to satisfy it.  Could this be the case?"

B: "Yes, rather.  I'm reluctant to let him go, since I did catch him, which is more than I can say for you.  And it being the opening weekend of bear season, it just doesn't seem right to let this human go."

D: "I empathize completely, while I sympathize not at all.  What you have there, my dearest B, is a real dilemma.  Let me propose a suggestion you may not have conceived.  Perhaps, tiny Bob being what he is, insufficient in terms of satisfying a bear's hunger, you swap him for me.  I am substantial by all accounts, and I might serve you as a meal much better than tiny Bob.  What say you?"

B: "Why, that's a mighty gratuitous offer of you D.  I might wonder if you have thoroughly considered the ramifications of your offer?  Have you considered what damages might be caused to your person to serve as a meal for the likes of me?"

D:  "Well, I have pondered these issues studiously.  Some say I am not fit to eat with pigs.  Usually, my friends stick up for me in these cases and say 'yes he is."  However, eating with pigs is little akin to being eaten by bears, though both do have to do with eating.  One cannot deduce from the fitness for one the applicability to the other.  Other means of logic, however, can be applied to the situation at hand, or at claw, as this case may be.  For example, were I to endure a pre-cognitive experience in the case of the prospect of being eaten by you, I might foresee the potential for damage, and elect to project myself astrally into another place for the duration of the meal.  In this way, my astral self, my soul, my being, my consciousness, would be spared harm, harm that would in this case merely befall my mortal, physical body.  In this way, we might arrive at a win-win-win situation.  Bob would win (he frequently has) by not getting consumed, you would win, by satiating your bear-like hunger to repletion, and I would win, by missing out intellectually on the consumption."

B:  "Now friend D, I'm not sure I buy into that pre-cognitive nonsense, let alone the astral projection.  Tell me more about it."

D: "All right.  Here goes."