Try to Bargain

"Does the cavern only respond to ticklish laughter?" You ask.

The smile disappears from the shadowy face. The creature narrows it's eyes pensively. You get the feeling it's a possibility that hasn't been given much thought. "How do you mean?" The creature asks.

"Well," you explain, "if I can make you laugh, without tickling, and the cavern light responds, your laughter will light the way for me. And there won't be any need to torture this poor fellow."

The imp seems to consider this. "And if it doesn't work ... ?" it asks.

"Well, if it _needs _to be ticklish laughter ..." you look morosely at the naked man in the stocks, who shudders at the implication. "We have the solution right here."

"Not good enough!" The imp hisses. "If it works, you continue on your way. If it doesn't, then I will have _two _pets to help me light the cavern."

The stakes seem a little high. Just how much do you want to spare this stranger from some tickle torture? The guy might be a criminal or something anyway!