The Dinner Party -1994- May 2026

One guest asks the hostess how she knew the snake was there. She replies, "I didn't know. But I saw it crawling across the floor a moment ago."

During the debate, the hostess notices a strange expression cross the face of the American naturalist seated across from her. She sees him subtly signal, then stiffen slightly. The naturalist, observing the floor, realizes a large, deadly cobra is slithering across the room, just inches from the guests' feet. The Dinner Party -1994-

To avoid panic, the naturalist announces calmly, "I want to see how much control you have. I will count to three hundred. Not one of you is to move a muscle. Anyone who moves will forfeit the bet—and dinner." The guests, amused but intrigued, freeze in place. The snake glides slowly across the room toward the veranda doors. One guest asks the hostess how she knew the snake was there