The only scientific mind at Mrs. Thurlow's table, Dr. Newman, became intrigued as soon as he wondered what would happen to passing gas if released in extremely low temperatures like those at the North Pole. He was quick to let the senator know.

"Actually, Senator, I must disagree. What you describe as a laughing, joyous experience could be quite the opposite at the North Pole," the scientist said.

“What?” asked the senator, completely puzzled.

The scientist smiled condescendingly. “After all, what is a flatulence if not gas? Let's give it a nice name first, out of respect for the ladies present," he said. “Let's call it Rupert. Is that all right with you, Senator?”

“Don't ask me. Call it what you want. I don't understand where you're going with this,” replied the senator.

“Not too far for a witty mind like yours. I'm just saying that if Rupert were released at the North Pole, it would probably behave differently than it would in a warmer environment.”

“Who's Rupert?” asked the singer, still tipsy, "Am I missing something?”

“Rupert is a flatulence,” Mrs. Thurlow clarified as if talking to a child. “Please, Dr. Newman, go on with your theory.”

“Okay,” said the scientist, thrilled to be in the spotlight. “Given the extreme cold at the North Pole, the water vapor in Rupert could freeze almost instantly, forming tiny ice crystals that would make him visible.”

"You said crystals? Oh my God, poor Eskimos!" exclaimed the writer, exhaling rings of smoke.

“And what would Rupert look like?” asked the bishop, “Like an ice cube?”

“Pretty much like a cloud of ice particles, similar to the way your breath condenses in cold air.”

“What about the sound?” asked the singer, amusedly, “Would Rupert sound the same? Or would he sound hoarse?”

"No, there would probably be an amplification of sound."