Her curiosity aroused, Twink advanced to the fountain and read:
This is a Phontain.
Any visitors are
requested to speak
their messages into it.
Signed: Rex Ticket & Regina Curtain.
"What in the world can it mean?" whispered Twink. Her companions had gathered about her and were reading the metal plate with wonder.
"Rex and Regina," ventured the Shaggy Man, "are King and Queen—that's Latin. So evidently the head-folks of this castle are King Ticket and Queen Curtain. Hmmmm—certainly odd names for a King and Queen."
"A Phontain—and we're supposed to talk into it!" sniffed Twiffle with disgust. "Whoever heard of such nonsense!"
"Well," observed the Shaggy Man, "I've heard of babbling brooks, so why not a talking fountain that will carry our words?"
"A phoney fountain, I suppose," said Tom, grinning.
Shaggy stooped over the Phontain and spoke clearly and distinctly:
"This is the Shaggy Man of Oz speaking. In behalf of my friends, Twink and Tom of the United States of America, Twiffle, late of the Isle of Conjo, and myself, I request an audience with King Ticket and Queen Curtain."
Almost immediately a red neon sign lighted up over two large double doors at the opposite end of the foyer. The sign flashed the single word "entrance."