A certain country was ruled by a dictator who was very paranoid. He rarely appeared in the public; he preferred to send one of his many doubles.

One day, enemy attacks the palace. The survival of the dictator is in question. The doubles await news, trembling in fear. If the dictator dies, they would be no longer useful, and with all the secrets they know, the new regime surely wouldn’t let them live.

Finally, they are called in a conference room. One of the dictator’s chief advisors enters.

“My dear doubles!” he says. “I have good news and bad news. The good news is that our beloved leader has survived the dastardly attack, and so, your services are still very much required.”

The doubles collectively sigh with relief.

Then a big man with an axe enters the room.

“Now for the bad news,” continues the advisor. “He lost an arm…”