Joanna woke to find the Confucius Institute standing grimly at the foot of her bed. It was shaking its head and clucking softly, its bony hands wrapped lightly around a dragon-shaped scyth. She had hardly remembered that today was the date of her appointment with the HSK when a booming voice sounded deep within the gowned figure's black hood.

"Hurry a bit. Unless you will be late to." The creature paused, and Joanna couldn't help but feel it was at a loss for words. "Shalt shower?" It finally asked, unseen bones rattling slightly as it pivoted to point the tip of its scyth towards her bathroom door. The faint humming coming from inside suggested it had already started the water heater.

The fog of sleep was lifting and Joanna's mind raced. This level of service was admittedly unprecedented. But part of her couldn't shake the feeling that this - too - was part of some greater test. Should she take a shower or just head straight to the exam?

HSK Tip #95: don't over-analyze things. Just wake up early, and be on time for the exam.