On its small LCD screen, two lights blinked in a rhythmic, maddening交替: the power light and the red ink droplet light. Alternating. Persistent.

He closed the adjustment program, deleting the zip file from his desktop. He didn't need to keep it; the memory of the risk was enough. He looked at the printer, humming quietly, oblivious to the digital sleight of hand that had just granted it a stay of execution.

"Please work," he whispered.