per iter tenebricosum

 

Having paid a car insurance bill, I notice a little codicil on the receipt inviting me to enter an online draw for a free car.

I use my computer to access the insurance company website.

There I am asked to answer the multiple choice question "what is the capital of Portugal?" and to complete the sentence "I deserve to win a Fiat Gelatea Hybrid car because..."

After wavering a bit over London and Dublin, I choose the Lisbon option for the Portugal question, and complete the unfinished sentence thusly: "I deserve to win a Fiat Gelatea Hybrid car because I don't believe in climate change and I'm such a nice guy."

Peering over my shoulder, my personal assistant Miss Tibbs draws in her breath sharply.

"You won't win if you write that," she tuts.

"You must have a very low opinion of the moral integrity of insurance companies," I tell her, clicking the confirm icon to seal the deal.