Raymond leered at the android. Perspiration was breaking out all over his body. His lower lip began to tremble and his cheek twitched.
Raymond tapped his forehead. "When science fails," he said in a hoarse whisper, "there it but one method left for a poor, ignorant savage with a primitive brain."
Moving forward swiftly, Raymond bent over, and seized the floating ebony end-table in both hands.
"Come here, oh, modest, unassuming, subservient one. I want to bend your ear."
Raymond lunged forward and swung. The android dodged awkwardly, and the table top glanced off the side of its head.
For a long moment the android remained quiet and motionless. Finally it said, "Did you ring, sir?"
The ebony slab slipped from Raymond's hands. He squinted at the android from under drooping, red-rimmed eyelids.
The android's head remained perfectly still. Its eyes did not follow him.
Raymond stepped over to the bar, made tinkling noises with the bottles, and waited tensely.
Silence. Pure silence.