The Cinderella Theorem (32 page)

[47]
And the probability is pretty high since she is a proven liar. Of course, a
strict examination of the facts proves me to be a liar also. Like mother, like
daughter. But let’s not follow that line of thinking…

[48]
P
lease
E
xcuse
M
y
D
ear
A
unt
S
ally =
PEMDAS = order of operations =
P
arenthesis,
E
xponents,
M
ultiplication,
D
ivision,
A
ddition,
S
ubtraction.

[49]

  x - 1(4-x) = 20

  x - 4x + x = 20

  x + x = 24

  2x =24

  x = 12

[50]
Having never experimented with skipping
school, running seemed appropriate. Besides, I was in a hurry.

[51]
I’m beginning to see a pattern (of short, cryptic notes) forming.

[52]
I know. Not a shining example of fire safety. When I mentioned this to Calo, he
told me not to worry about it, that in the case of a fire, all the citizens
inside would be transported to safety. Now, how illogical is that? Trusting
magical forces for your safety. The magic didn’t transport everyone to the
fireproof room when Naga was attacking the castle. Shouldn’t
that
protocol be in place?

[53]
I still have trouble understanding how Happiness can be measured; I’m not ready
to understand why it needs a high frequency.

[54]
I realize, mathematically speaking, Levi wasn’t actually kidnapping me. I had
volunteered
to be kidnapped, but being blindfolded was the variable pushing me toward a kidnapping
equation.

[55]
In case you, like me, wondered what a “dais” is: it’s a raised platform, often
for dignified occupancy. It’s a fancy quest clause way of saying “a little
stage.”

[56]
12 prisoners + Lily = 13 prisoners – freed prisoner = 12 prisoners.

[57]
I suppose the quest clause enabled me to know what a sampler was.

[58]
So glad I don’t have to talk to those birds.

[59]
Lily and Calo’s rescue plan – Calo = one big mess of unhappiness.

[60]
That was a super mathematical day, let me tell you. (Read the previous sentence
with sarcasm.)

[61]
They gave a copy to the court historian who keeps up with the chronicles of
each ruler. I was a little disturbed to find out that everything I’d done would
be written down and retold for generations. Maybe it was a good thing I’d
enacted the quest clause for at least part of it.