Imagine that you meet a young lawyer after the party at which he made a bet with the banker. What would be the likely conversation between you and...

I would probably want to ask a lot of questions, such as the following:

• Do you really think you can stand solitary confinement for fifteen years?


• Why did you offer to spend fifteen years in solitary confinement when the banker was only talking about five? He said: "It's not true! I'll bet you two million you wouldn't stay in solitary confinement for five years."


• How can you be sure the banker will actually pay you two million rubles if you can stick it out for the fifteen years?


• Aren't you a little bit afraid that you might lose your mind in there?


• How to you intend to spend your time?


• What books do you plan to read?


• How will you get any exercise?


• What is the longest period of time you have ever spent entirely alone?


• What do you plan to do with the two million rubles, assuming you can stand fifteen years of solitary confinement, and assuming you actually collect the money?


• Why did you make the bet? Was it purely for the money? Or do you like the idea of being free to study and meditate in comfort with all your needs taken care of?


• What do you expect to learn during the next fifteen years?


• Do you think you'll miss human companionship, including female companionship?


• Lots of luck!