XVI

Turn the record over.

Come on. This side is done. You’re not going to hear anything more if you just sit there. Flip it over.

I think you’ll really like the B-side. It’s different. Not as frenzied as what we just heard. More relaxing. Isn’t that just what you need, right now?

Or is the relaxing one the A-side? Did we just listen to the B-side? My mind has trouble keeping track of these things. I’m not as young as I used to be, you know.

I’m waiting.

There you go. Very good. Do handle it carefully, please. And be careful with the tone arm, while you’re at it.

Is it spinning? Oh, I see, you turned the table off before you picked up the record. I never do that, but to each his own.

Well, you’re going to have to start it again, then.

Am I not making myself clear? Flip the power switch. The switch you just flipped when you . . . oh, I see you’ve got it at last.

There will be no talking over the music, please. I thought I had made that quite clear at the outset.

Thank you.