The Master Screen went dead. Tony blinked. Bill of divorcement. Will have to marry again in the morning as outlined under Congressional Act. By God, that's progress for you! He sat staring at the Master Screen for a long time.
Then he sighed, punched the button on Supplies and Control.
"Hell-hips!" he growled. "Snap it up. Execution at one-twenty-seven. Bill of divorcement."
The narrow face peered sourly out at him from the Master Screen. It didn't have much emotion in it now. It was almost blank, like the face of a humanoid robot somebody'd left something out of.
"Been hittin' the bottle again, huh?" said Tony.
"My name is Clacker, Mr. Radek. Arthur Jared Clacker. Kindly keep that in mind when you address me."
"Sure, sure. Nice name. Lovely name. Sounds like a stone-boat going over ground glass. Whip up that bill of divorcement."
"It's ready, Mr. Radek. Been ready for the last half hour. I suggest that if there were a little of my own well known and demonstrated efficiency in your office, perhaps Executions would be something to be proud of. Instead of what it is. Instead of the foul-smelling, sloppily run, lice-infested...."
Tony's hand reached out for the button on Supplies and Control. "Watch those lights," he said tiredly.