"You're jesting, of course," laughed Carrowick. "They were once called Quiz shows. Now, they're Quas, for question and answer, I guess."
"Oh, yes," said Kramvit, "we do have many of those."
"Why, that's all we have here, on commercial V.C." exclaimed Carrowick. "And, there's the obvious answer to your original question!"
"The answer? I'm sorry, I don't see what you mean."
"It's simple," said Carrowick. "The Poors are people who have never been a contestant on a Qua show! The wealthy are those who either have been winners, or whose ancestors were."
It was Kramvit's turn to be shocked. "I don't believe it."
"Oh, yes, it's true," said Carrowick. "Of course, some of the Poors have been contestants, but didn't win."
Kramvit was staring at Carrowick. "You are quite serious, aren't you?"
"Of course," answered Carrowick, "the situation has been so, for perhaps two hundred years—we've come to take it for what it is."
"I'll wager that the Poors don't take it quite as calmly as you do. Don't tell me that they're satisfied with their position."