"Well, I wouldn't want to ... uh...."
The carriage slid across the machine angrily, and the bell rang.
YOU ARE AN IDIOT! A COMPLETE IDIOT!
"Couldn't we sort of compromise?" I asked quietly. "Don't you know anything but Poe?"
THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH POE. COME ON, LET'S GET AT IT. I'VE GOT A WONDERFUL STORY CALLED 'THE ASSIGNATION.'
"No!" I shouted. "That's plagiarism! I won't do it."
"You won't do what?"
For a moment, I reared back from the machine, my eyes popping wide. Then I realized it had been a human voice I'd heard, and the voice had come from my door. I turned quickly, heaving a relieved sigh when I saw Perry standing there.
"Hello, Fred," he said. "What is it you won't do?"
"Oh...." I waved my hand meaninglessly. "Nothing. Nothing really."