“Just a second while I get the case,” he said. He got up and
disappeared into the Clerk’s room.
Five minutes later he returned, and steamed back to his desk, my
application clutched tightly in his hand.
“Yes,” he said, without even looking at it, “part of my rejection was
on probable inoperability. Have you got a working model there?”
“I certainly have,” I replied. “Though you might not believe it even
when you see it. This is absolutely the most--”
“Why won’t I believe it when I see it?” he demanded.
“Well, I just meant--”
“Is this a trick of some kind?” he bridled.
“No. Oh, no. I just--”
“Well, why won’t I believe it when I see it?”
“I didn’t mean it that way,” I said quickly. “I meant--”
“I heard what you said. Let me remind you of Rule Three. Interviews
with Examiners must be conducted with decorum. No frivolity,
understand?”
“I’m sorry,” I apologized. “You’ll believe it. Honest you will.”
He stared at me suspiciously. “We’ll see. Bring it into the next room.”
He stalked off. I picked up the box, and staggered after him into the
conference room.
“Open it up,” he commanded.