Miss. Mississippi walked onstage, casting a quick, worried glance back at Miss. Illinois. Collecting herself, she broke into her trademark angelic smile and began,

----------------------------------------

Once upon a time, a young man came upon an old man struggling to count his coins at the till. The young man laughed at the senility of the old man, and asked the young lady at the register if she needed him to step in and help the old bat remember his pennies from his dimes. To the surprise of both youngsters, the old man set down his coins and began to laugh, soft and coughing, his eyes twinkling merrily and his stomach jiggling with every chuckle. "Whatever could be so funny?" the young lady asked in confusion.

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

The old man cheerily replied between laughs, "When I was a lad, I jeered at an old bird for confusing her sums, and I only now understand why she replied with a giggle!"

----------------------------------------

Miss. Mississippi beamed, and the crowd enthusiastically clapped. "See, that's what I was talking about," the oldest producer muttered, audibly relieved.

Miss. Mississippi hurried offstage, and the lights dimmed for the final contestant.