"I know that," he says. But, because he knows he's already right up against the wall, flirting with insubordination, he adds: "Five minutes, sir. I'll do it in four."

It's easy, in these car rides, to let himself get a little too friendly, to follow his lead and fall a little too far, too informal.

Then he gets the leash yanked, even softly, and he steps back in line.