the diners

At a table for six, there are only five sitting down. Two of the people are talking. Two of people are laughing, and one person is sitting quietly.

The table seems larger as there are serving bowls, platters, plates, silver ware and napkins everywhere. There is no organization to their presentation; they are just collected on the table.

You notice that the two people talking are not talking to each other and the two laughing are not laughing at the same thing. The quiet one is the only one with something to say, but no one would listen to them if they did say something.

Three of the people are women and two are men. One person smiles a lot. One person is crying for some reason. One person is trying to hurt one of the other people One person is pleading for their life and one person is trying to leave the table.

One person didn’t finish their meal. One person cleaned their plate. One person gave away their meal. One person is still waiting for their meal and one person didn’t touch their meal.

Two of the people are sitting in high back chairs. Two people are sitting in chairs with armrests and one person is sitting on a stool.

Three people are overweight. One is very skinny. One is very lean and muscular.

One of the people is old. Two of the people are children and two of the people are middle aged.

No one is drinking.

You are not invited to this meal but there is a place ready for you. You notice that your chair has armrests and you sit down without anyone noticing or saying a thing.

You have no idea who these people are but you know you must find out. You are trying to think of a good question that will help you figure this all out and introduce you to the others.

You ask a simple question and everyone stops and looks at you. You’re not sure what their thinking, but what you asked seemed to work.

The silent one motions to the other and they get up and walk away, carrying with them the items at the table, except for your place setting.

This makes you…..