Clórach Bunstachain pulled back the cuffs of his overcoat, and armed the Glomstaphone.

  • Zimp. It flanged its first note.
  • Bararunk. The bass thumped.
  • Kerrflash. Billions of tiny lumticules scorched through the air and began vibrating to the thoughts of the assembled crowd.

Three judges frowned in practiced concentration.

  • Zimp. Bararunk. Kerrflash. The starry Neptunian sky seemed to dance in time to the music. 

‘Oooh’, went the crowd in unison.

  • Baraunk. Zimp. Kerrflash. 

The song echoed into the palace.

  • Zimp. Zimp. Kerrflash. 

Overlord Dunsoganny and her minions left the opulence of the great hall, and walked to a balcony overlooking the concert field. And stood listening. Transfixed.

Clórach eventually chambered the Umpergons. And the Glomstaphone fell silent. As did the crowd.

‘Bravo’, yelled Dunsoganny. She then looked to the judges, who sat impassively. ‘I think’, she added.

Robocritic FZB3158 was the first Judge to speak. ‘Insufficient data’, it bleeped. 

Robald Hobernon was the second Judge to speak. ‘What my metallic friend here means’, he explained, ‘is that there are not enough reviews logged for it to parse and form an opinion of the music.’

Overlord Dunsoganny nodded.

‘I’, continued Robald, ‘on the other hand, am human. And do not need to copy the opinions of others. I thought it was rubbish.’

Overlord Dunsoganny frowned.

‘I meant rubbish in parts. Otherwise great’, corrected Robald, ‘a mixed bag really. I think I’ll also reserve judgement till after the online reviews.’

The crowd, Clórach Bunstachain, Overlord Dunsoggany, her minions, and the other two Judges turned to Judge Furbinart Honglatone.

‘It would seem’, Furbinart noted, ‘that we should wait to see what the majority of Neptunians think before deciding what we thought.’

Someone in the crowd clapped, stopped, yelled ‘rubbish’, and then clapped again.

Overlord Dunsoggany nodded in agreement, and returned to the great hall.