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 one 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 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.
> >
> > Mainly because the only friend that she knew would be home happened to
> > be a
> >
> > blond.
> >
> > But the contestant had no alternative. She called her friend and gave
> >
> > her the question and the four choices. The friend 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
> > blond
> >
> > that would seem to be the logical thing to do. On the other hand - the
> >
> > blond friend 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 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 blond friend who had helped her win 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," her blond friend said. "Everybody knows that cuckoos
> >
> > don't build nests. They live in clocks."
> >