Or put another way, An Englishman, a Frenchman, and a Bell Labs Engineer (this was told around Bell Labs) were in some French African colony -- probably wherever Camus' The Stranger took place, and were rounded up by the police on some mistaken charges, tried, and found guilty. The Englishman was led to the guillotine, and, asked if he had any last words, said "God Save the Queen (or King, whichever)". The guillotine was released, but did not drop, and mysteriously hung there. The crowd shouted "It's a miracle, it's a miracle, you must release this man!", and the officials looked at each other, and agreed to release him. The Frenchman was led to the guillotine, and, asked if he had any last words, said "Liberty, Equality and Fraternity!". The guillotine was released, but did not drop, and mysteriously hung there. The crowd shouted "It's a miracle, it's a miracle, you must release this man!", and the officials looked at each other, and agreed to release him. The Bell Labs Engineer was led to the guillotine, and, asked if he had any last words, said "I think I see what's making it stick like that."