Bisson_rucker_billys.. - Rudy Rucker

“Water,” said the plant. Billy didn’t have to ask.
The teachers picked up the pot and looked for a speaker. They couldn’t find one.
They frowned and shook their heads. “Ventriloquism is not science,” they said.
“What’s ventriloquism?” asked Billy.
“It means you are making it talk.”
“I am not,” said Billy. “It’s the stick.”
“Prove it,” said the teachers.
Billy pulled the stick out. The plant didn’t say anything.
“See?” said Billy.
§§
“A plant that doesn’t talk doesn’t prove anything,” said the teachers. “You are
disqualified.”
“What’s disqualified?” asked Billy.
“It means you don’t get the Science Prize.”
Billy thought about that. It made him mad. He stuck the stick back in the dirt.
“Fuck you,” said the plant.
“What?” said the teachers.
“Fuck a bunch of teachers,” said the plant.
The teachers sent Billy home. They made him take his plant and his jacket with
him.
§§
“What happened?” asked Billy’s mother.
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