In "The Player of Games" by Iain M. Banks, an unusual conversation takes place regarding a creature called the Uhnyrchal. The character Gurgeh observes a small black protrusion emerging from red mud, leading to a perplexing exchange with Za. Za clarifies that the Uhnyrchal can breathe using this part of its anatomy, implying the creature's survival despite its current predicament.

This exchange highlights the bizarre aspects of the game's universe, where unconventional biological traits play a role in the creatures' endurance and capabilities. Gurgeh's initial skepticism reflects a common theme in the book: navigating and understanding a complex and often strange world, particularly in the context of competition and survival.