"I'm sorry, but the legal meaning of the patent is clear. Where is your legal department?"
"We have three. One on each of the Inner Planets."
"I'll request you to have a legal representative come to the station so that I may confer with him. One with power of attorney to act for you."
"Sorry," said Channing coldly. "I wouldn't permit any attorney to act without my supervision."
"That's rather a backward attitude," said Kingman. "I shall still insist on conducting my business with one of legal mind."
"O.K. We'll have Peterman come out from Terra. But he'll still be under my supervision."
"As you wish, I may still exert my prerogative and remove the tubes from your possession."
"You may find that hard to do," said Channing.
"That's illegal!"
"Oh, no, it won't be. You may enter the laboratory at any time and remove the tubes. Of course, if you are without technical training you may find it most difficult to disconnect the tubes without getting across a few thousand volts. That might be uncomfortable."