“Sorry, did I say that out loud? What I meant to say, in my own little way, is that I want you to try something for me.” The serpent looked Candi up and down, “But first, maybe we should get to know each other a little better.”

“I spread for no snake.”

“You’ll never believe what these scales can do…”

“Cut to the chase!”

The Evil Bishop laughed. “Fine, forget about all the sex stuff then. Though being the servant of a Freshman does involve a definite lack of sex… Perhaps if I didn't look like I needed it so much...if I wasn't so desperate,” the serpent turned away sadly, “I am an idiot aren't I? And idiots don't need sex, Candi. Unless they drive a fancy car and have lots of muscles,” he turned quickly towards Candi. “But where are guys like that after they turn 30? Fat! Bloated monsters with illegitimate kids, a Trans-Am with a burnt out clutch and an addiction to Tylenol-3! Oh no... I don't even want to think about sex! What I really want is for you to eat this pear...” Hiss.

Candi raised an eyebrow and examined the pear. “Why?”

“Taste test.” If snakes could smile, the Evil Bishop would have done so.

“Hmmm...”

“Survey for a popular newspaper...?” the serpent said with his best salesman voice.

“Well...” Candi examined the fruit. “It wouldn't happen to be from the Sacred Tree, would it?”

“Sacred Tree?” The Evil Bishop looked around in mock confusion. “Just because I'm twisted around the Sacred Tree with all this fruit, you assume this pear is from the Tree? I expected more than loose stereotyping from you. Come on babe! Try it out... It'll make you feel good, hmm? First one's free...share it with your friends...”

“But BOB said - “

The Evil Bishop laughed. “Do you see BOB here? No! He's up in Blob Heartburn sucking on sausages!” The Bishop glanced around nervously as a few bolts of lightning lit up the sky. “Anyway, don't you have free choice?”

“Well...only if we eat from the Sacred Tree. Free choice is our punishment – loss of innocence, knowledge of evil…that sort of stuff.”

The Evil Bishop thought on this a moment, “But you can freely chose whether or not to eat from the Tree?”

“Yes.”

“So, you all ready have free choice?”

Candi bit her thumb, then nodded.

“And you know the tree is Evil?”

“Uh-huh.”

“So, you all ready have knowledge of Evil?”

“Okay…”

The Evil Bishop nodded, “Then I see no choice but for you to take this pear and eat it.”

“Well...I guess you have a point there.” Candi grabbed the pear and took a bite, “Mmmm!!” Her full, pert lips made the Evil Bishop shudder.