The technician’s speech and responses to the main character’s inquiries suggests that he is unused to social contact. Throughout his visit to the main character’s office, the technician has spoken little and often cryptically. His speech is mechanical, often repeating computer commands like “Alt F3 Enter Control” (Burroway 114) out loud. He promptly ignores the main character’s overtures of friendliness, responding with a curt “I don’t drink coffee” when asked if he would like some coffee and calling “no sugar!” down the hallway when she decided to make tea for him instead. His lack of courtesy in face of friendliness reflects that instead of treating the main character as a client or even a co-worker, he treats her more like his mother or
