Socrates: No problem, would you accept five thinkers as an estimate.

Meno: I think that should be fair.

Socrates: And shall we assume they worked for two years, that is the
smallest number which retains the plural, and our assumption was that
they worked for years.

Meno: Two years is indeed acceptable to me, Socrates.

Socrates: Very well then, Meno, it would appear that the
Pythagoreans spent 10 total years of thinking time to solve the
riddles of the square root of two.

Meno: I agree.

Socrates: And would you like to hire the Pythagoreans
to run your household, Meno?

Meno: Surely I would, Socrates, if they were only for hire,
but, as you well know, they are a secret lot, and hire to no one.

Socrates: Well, if I could get you one, perhaps one of the
best of them, in fact the leader of the group that solved the
square root of two, would you not hire him, and at high wages?

Meno: Certainly, Socrates. I'd be a fool not to.

Socrates: And you would put him in charge of your house.

Meno: And all my lands, too, Socrates.

Socrates: Possibly. Then I would like to propose, that if
this boy should solve the proof of the square root of two being
irrational, in the next few hours of our discussion, that he be
given wages equal to those due to your most highly placed servant
for ten years of service, as he shall perform ten years service
for you in the next few hours, should he succeed.

Meno: That sounds quite fair, Socrates, I like your logic.

Socrates: (the boy tugs his tunic, to complain that he wants
his freedom, not a mere bucket of gold) Hush, boy, did you not
promise to hold your tongue?

Boy: Yes, Socrates, but....

Socrates: (turning to Meno) And, of course, with the
monetary rewards for such a position, go all the rest of it.

Meno: Of course, Socrates. I never thought to cheat you.

Socrates: I know that, friend Meno, but I merely ask for the
boy's sake, who is not used to hearing about high finance and
the powers and rank which accompany such things.

Meno: Of course, Socrates. Shall I tell the boy what he
shall receive?

Socrates: You are very kind to do so, my friend Meno.

Meno: (turns to the boy) You are aware that a servant may not own
the amount of gold I would have to give you, should you win the day?

Boy: Yes, sir.

Meno: Therefore, I would have to give to you the freedom to
own the money, before I could give you the money, would I not?