The demonstration began awkwardly. The Big boss had introduced John as Doctor Peggy to the crowd and John had no option but to walk to the microphone, feeling horribly vulnerable in Dr Peggy's dress. He/she had nervously said "Hello" in Dr Peggy's meek voice, then just stared at the seemingly huge group of investors looking at him/her.
The CEO sensing imminent catastrophe stepped in. "Dr Peggy, is in shock following an accident earlier today. She's not well at all, but given the importance she places on your support she will endeavor to demonstrate her creation, an intelligent beast; The Wombadillo!"
The room clapped. Everyone once more was looking at John "I....Er... Um"
The CEO once more stepped in "Lets just bring the creature in so you can all see it. And as they say seeing is believing"
The room fell into silence as some workers rolled the creatures cage into the auditorium. Then there was a collective sigh as the creature stirred. It was awake. John hoped the cage was secure. "The wombadillo" he/she said. At least she remembered what the creture was called.
"So what does it do?" someone in the audience asked
"I .....errr......ummmm...."
"What would you like it to do?" asked the CEO
"Can it count to three?"
The CEO turned to John "Doctor Peggy. Can you ask the Wombadillo to count?"
"I.... Errr ......Ummmm" John was frozen in panic
However this time he was not rescued by the CEO. Instead the Wombadillo saved him/her. The creature began to count . It made a sharp growling sound. Then repeated it. Then repeated it once more
"Did you hear that?" shouted the CEO in delight. "It just counted to three!"
"It could have just been a coincidence" said an elegantly dressed mature woman in the crowd. "Ask it to count to 8"
No. one needed to ask the creature. It began to give short sharp growls. It stopped at 8
"Are there still doubters?" asked the CEO. "Isn't Dr Peggy a genius. Are there any other requests?"
"Can the thing turn around three times clockwise then 3 times counter clockwise?" It was the same man who had first asked the creature to count.
There was sufficient room in the cage for the creature to turn around. It did so. 3 times to the right then three times to the left, before stopping and seemingly smiling to the audience. The room applauded.
"I say the doctor is giving the creature some sort of signal. Like animal trainers" said the elderly woman, who had spoken earlier. "Can the creature still count and do as bidden when its trainer is not present?"
"Well let's see" proposed the CEO. "Dr Peggy. Are you happy to leave the room?"
John was only too happy to leave. He/she nodded. Then left as Sarah took him/her by the arm and led her from the room. "Why don't we go and fetch those puzzles you were training the creature with?" suggested Sarah "If the investors are not convinced by the time we return, they will be when they see the creature do those puzzles" All John could recall was the despair on Dr Peggy's face (now somehow his face) when the creature had failed to do the puzzles earlier. Where the hell had the doctor disappeared to?