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The evil King has bet that in a dozen rounds between yourself and your opponent, you will not strike him three hits... He has given you nine free rounds of twelve... He toasts... If you, Hamlet, his stepson, can score the three hits first then he, King Claudius, will drink to you and your ongoing health from a goblet holding not only the best wine but also a precious pearl. This symbol will show his blessing over you and ensure you go unharmed by him and his men for all of future. You begin.... NOW. Hamlet and his opponent, Laertes, retrieve their swords. They bow to each other, and begin. Hamlet easily darts to the left and dodges Laertes' initial attack. The tip of the sword barely misses him, but he recovers quickly to tip Laertes himself. "Yes!" Judgement is passed. A clear hit has been made. The King offers Hamlet a drink from the goblet of symbolic wine and suggests a drink to his impending victory. The King directs an attendant to pass Hamlet the cup. Hamlet refuses the wine and continues into the second round. The bout is becoming heated and Laertes is becoming more desperate to score a hit. He lunges for his adversary and again swings his sword towards him. He misses again, but is cautious to avoid