---
Fizz floated forward with a handspan and put on his best voice of sensible authority. "Before you speak, please understand the depth of my sacrifice. Water has opinions. Fire has opinions. Making them shake hands inside a wooden bucket requires both diplomacy and personal charisma. Fortunately, I possess both. Now, kindly hop in before the charisma evaporates."
John stood. "No."
Fizz blinked. His mouth opened. Nothing came out. He tried again. "No did not sound like thank you. Let me check my ears. Hello ears, are you working." He wiggled both ears. "Yes. They are working. Therefore, your answer is wrong. Try again."
"No."
Fizz floated in a small circle, one paw on his forehead as if he had been struck by a tragic sonnet. He pointed at the tub, at John, at the tub again, and then at the ceiling in case the ceiling could be shamed into intervening.
