Who Wants to be a Millionaire

[Silver72]

A contestant on "Who Wants to be a Millionaire?" had
reached the final plateau. If she answered the next
question correctly, she would win $1,000,000. If she
answered incorrectly, she would pocket only the
$32,000 milestone money.

And as she suspected it would be, the million-dollar
question was no pushover. It was, "Which of the
following species of birds does not build its own
nest, but instead lays its eggs in the nests of other
birds? Is it A) the condor; B) the buzzard; C) the
cuckoo; or D) the vulture?"

The woman was on the spot. She did not know the
answer. And she was doubly on the spot because she had
used up her 50/50 Lifeline and her Audience Poll
Lifeline. All that remained was her Phone-a-Friend
Lifeline, and the woman had hoped against hope that
she would not have to use it.

She didn't want to use this option because the only
friend that she knew would be home happened to be a
blonde. But the contestant had no alternative. She
called her friend and gave her the question and the
four choices. The blonde responded unhesitatingly:
"That's easy. The answer is C: The cuckoo."

The contestant had to make a decision and make it
fast. She considered employing a reverse strategy and
giving Regis any answer except the one that her friend
had given her. And considering that her friend was a
blonde, that would seem to be the logical thing to do.
On the other hand . . . the blonde had responded with
such confidence, such certitude, that the contestant
could not help but be persuaded. "I need an answer,"
said Regis.

Crossing her fingers, the contestant said, "C: The
cuckoo." "Is that your final answer?" asked Regis.
"Yes, that is my final answer." Two minutes later,
Regis said, "I regret to inform you that answer is . ..
absolutely correct. You are now a millionaire!"

Three days later, the contestant hosted a party for
her family and friends - including the blonde who had
helped her the million dollars.

"Jenny, I just do not know how to thank you," said the
contestant. "Because of your knowing the answer to
that final question, I am now a millionaire. And do
you want to know something? It was the assuredness
with which you answered the question that convinced me
to go with your choice. By the way... how did you
happen to know the right answer?"

"Oh, come on," said the blonde. "Everybody knows that
cuckoos don't build nests. They live in clocks."