It was not until last year that again In visited Amphibloia. The two tradional classes of fellas and Phibbas still exist, but since my previous visit a revolution had taken place, resulting in the emergence of a third class of citizen. These middle-class egaliterians (known as Jokers) eschew the ancient conventions of caste, and religiously alternate truth with falsehood. If one statement made by a Joker happens to be the truth, his next wil be a lie, and vice versa. The trouble is, that when one encounters a Joker, it is difficult to know which truth/falsehood leg he happens to be on at the time he first opens his mouth.

I was in Amphibolia for the purpose of writing an article on the social changes that have taken place since the revolution, and was met at the airport by three men sent to greet me on behalf of the Ministy of Disinformation. I tried the same opening gambit as on my former visit.

'How many of you are Jokers?' I asked.
'Just one of us,' volunteered Xzysmith.
'At least one of us,' added Yxzsmith unhelpfully.
'More than one of us,' said Zxysmmith.
'Are you yourself a Joker?' I asked Xzysmith.
'No,' he replied.
'He is,' said Yxzsmith.
'He isn't,' declared Zxysmith.
Which, not surpsingly, left me wondering which caste each of the men really belonged to. Can you throw any light on the matter?