What if you didn’t know the number 3?

A is a regular person.

B doesn’t know the number 3 exists.

A: Cool! I’ll come pick you up at 3 o’clock and we’ll head to the game.

B: You’ll pick me up at what o’clock?

A: 3.

B: I don’t know what you’re saying.

A: (sighs) Fine. Forget it. I’ll pick you up at 2:30.

B: Two-whatty?

A: Two thir–hang on, are you messing with me?

B: Not at all.

A: Okay. How about tomorrow, 2:23, post meridian? Is that specific enough for you?

B: That works. I’ll see you tomorrow at 2:20. Looking forward to it.

A: Fine. You’ll be waiting an extra three minutes, but I guess that’s doable. (ponders) Hey, I got a math question for you.

B: Okay. I love math. What is it?

A: What’s 8 times 3?

B: 8 times what?

A: How about this: What’s 8 plus 8 plus 8?

B: 24. Give me something harder next time.

A: (grinning evilly) What’s 3 times 3?

B: Sorry, I only know how to do math with English numbers.

A: How ’bout this: Pretend that I’m a cop and I just pulled you over for suspected drunk driving.

B: But I don’t drink.

A: That’s why I specified suspected drunk driving. Anyway, the cop doesn’t know that you don’t drink, so they ask you to perform a field sobriety test.

B: Which I will easily pass, because I don’t–

A: Drink! We know. (wipes face with hands) Okay. Your first field sobriety test–which you will pass–is to stand on one foot, and count to ten.

B: That sounds simple for a completely sober person to pull off.

A: Couldn’t agree more. So, um…do it now.

B: Now? But–

A: I know you’re not in a car, and I know that you don’t drink. Just. Do. It.

B: Okay. (raises right foot) 1,2,4,4,5,6,7,8–

A: Hang on!

B: But I didn’t get to 10!

A: (collapses in a heap on the ground) …that’s because you passed. You’re free to go.

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