At four in the morning, Samuel woke up on the sofa. He had fallen asleep halfway through the movie. The recurring dream that had awakened him had left him disoriented and cranky. Cold to the bone, he went into the kitchen and washed his face in the sink. His own reflection in the still-dark window, made him feel even worse.

"You look terrible," the voice said.

"Well, thanks for your honesty. I don't feel any better than I look."

"Why don't you go to bed and get some sleep?"

"Because I have to write. My editor is pushing me," Samuel said, as he walked to his desk.

"Editors are a pain in the ass, if you ask me," the voice said.

"I didn't ask you, but if I had, I couldn't agree more."

"I wasn't asking you, "the voice's pitch sounded higher than usual, "I was making a statement."

"So was I," Samuel said. "And now, if you don't mind..."

"Mind what?"

"Zip it."

"Okay, but I'll be on standby if you need me."

"Of course you will...but button it already."