He stared at her, at the radiant glowing that was transforming her.
"But—but you must not stay here. You must not. Don't you understand? This is the end."
She set the tray in front of him.
"You must eat something. You haven't had a good meal in weeks. Here is a sandwich and a glass of milk."
He was vaguely aware of a gnawing in his stomach, a persistent ache.
"Why—thanks—Yes, I am hungry!" He looked at the tray.
The door creaked as she left the room.
He wolfed the food. He turned again to the table in front of him. He pressed buttons.
Under him, in the belly of the squat tower of concrete and steel, a lion began to roar. The roar increased until the whole structure was shaking with the pressure of inconceivable energies seeking release. It became a whirling, roaring, thundering torrent of sound, a screaming pulse of incalculable force.