Vienna, General Hospital.
Dr. Thomas was packing his bags. He hated this evil country. He was young and wealthy, and he spoke French. He could easily find a better job in Paris.
Thomas was a doctor, after all—the greatest profession of the age besides banking.
"Dr. Thomas! Dr. Thomas! That imbecile Archduke wants to challenge you! The postman just delivered this challenge. You'll accept, won't you?" Thomas's assistant shouted excitedly.
"Which imbecile Archduke?"
"The emperor's younger brother, Archduke Franz Karl."
Dr. Thomas asked, puzzled,
"That imbecile wants to challenge me. What's there to be excited about? I'm a doctor. How could I duel with an imbecile?"
His assistant explained,
"Oh, no, Dr. Thomas, not a duel. He wants to debate you. It's set for this weekend, at Vienna Central Park Square."
Dr. Thomas stood there stunned for a moment, then burst out laughing.
"Interesting. I accept the challenge. I'll ruin the House of Habsburg's reputation."
Before long, word spread throughout Vienna that Dr. Thomas would debate Archduke Franz Karl at Vienna Central Park. Some people even rushed to Vienna from out of town overnight, just to witness this bizarre debate.
Everyone was discussing it in taverns and cafés.
"Have you heard? That imbecile Archduke is going to debate a real pillar of society."
"Do you think the Archduke means to persuade the doctors to obey the emperor's new decree this way?"
"What new decree? I haven't heard about it."
"It has nothing to do with ordinary people like us. It just says doctors have to wash their hands before treating patients."
"It's only asking them to wash their hands. It's not like they're being asked to pay taxes. Are those doctors really going to defy the emperor's orders over that?"
"Of course. They always think they're so noble. Noble people