"And I don't want to hear about it," the judge said shortly. "This court is no place for examination room discussions."
"Or much of anything else," Toffee retorted angrily. "Especially justice."
"Look, judge," Marc put in desperately. "You've got to listen to me. About all this bacteria...."
"Bacteria?" the judge said, startled. "What about bacteria?"
"It's a threat," Marc said. "It's got to be stopped."
The judge nodded. "My dentist said the same thing the other day. Are you a dentist?"
"Of course I'm not a dentist," Marc said. "It's the congressman."
"That's preposterous," the judge said. "The congressman isn't a dentist, never has been. You're just trying to rattle me."
Again, as Marc started to speak, the voice from behind took over. "That's rich, that is," it slurred. "You were rattled the day you were born, you old tosspot, and you've been getting balmier ever since. If you have the brain of a gnat...."
The gavel smashed down on the bench like the crack of doom.