 An alarm clock that we cannot ignore because we have sleeping neighbors. One of us, Deb or I, cursing beneath our breath, will peel ourselves out of bed and hurry down the creaking stairway. Michael! We will say in our most authoritative voice, Michael, get in here. And Michael will drop the belt and do as we say. He will leave behind the thing he loves most, more than food, and he will do what we say.