Bisson_rucker_billys.. - Rudy Rucker

“Eat your turkey,” said Billy’s mother. They had turkey every night.
“I’m going to win the Science Prize,” said Billy. “I have a talking plant.”
“When your father gets out of jail, he will be proud,” said Billy’s mother.
§§
That night Billy made a sign for the Science Fair. It said Talking Plant.
He used a Magic Marker from his mother’s purse. It was filled with them.
§§
Billy took the plant to the Science Fair at school. He wore his grandfather’s jacket.
“You can’t wear that at school,” said the teacher.
“It was my grandfather’s,” said Billy. “H e had a big Harley.”
“You can’t wear that at school,” said the teacher. “It says Christ on it.”
Billy hung it up in the cloak room. It was too big anyway.
§§
The Science Fair was in the gym.
Billy put the plant on the long table. He put the Talking Plant sign in front of it.
The teachers were the judges. They walked by and read the sign. “Let’s hear it
talk,” they said.
“Say water,” said Billy.
The plant said, “Water.”
§§
The teachers all gathered around. They were all dressed alike. “Make it say water
again,” they said.
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