'I'm not wailing!'

'Yes, you are.  Stop it.  You have to be in Tokyo tonight.  Tomorrow night; whatever.  It'll look very bad if you don't show up.  Kirita Shinizagi is a stickler for these things.'

'A shtickler?  A fucking shtickler?  What about being a shtickler for executivsh having all their teesh?  What if it'sh shome horrendoush crosh-cultural inshult in Japan to turn up to shign a deal wish only shishty per shent of your shmile in playsh?'

'I thought as well as speaking the language you were well versed in Japanese culture, Mike.  You must know whether that's the case or not.'

'Look, can't we shend shomebody elshe?  It'sh Parfitt-Sholomenideesh who'sh doing the shining, not me; I'm jusht there ash a glorified bag-man.'

'I don't think so.  You've been in on this from the start.  Kirita Shinizagi trusts you.  And Mr Parfitt-Solomenides doesn't speak Japanese.  Frankly even if Mr Shinizagi wasn't expecting you, you'd have to go because Mr Parfitt-Solomenides's expecting you to be there and if you ever hope to leave Level Four, you don't go upsetting Level One executives because you have a dental problem.  And Mr Shinizagi is expecting you.  If you didn't show we might…Never mind.'

'What?'

I didn't quite succeed in stifling a giggle.

'Are you — ?  You're laughing!  I can't fucking believe zhish!'

'I'm sorry, I was going to say we might lose face.'

'What?  Oh, very fucking funny, Kate!'

'Thank you.  Now, make those calls.  And make that flight.'

'Oh, Jeshush.'

'This is no time for superstition, Michael.  Orthodontics is your only hope.'

'You vishish bitch, you're enjoying zhish, aren't you?'

'Not in the least.  And never call me a bitch again, Michael.'

'I'm shorry.

'Make the calls, Mike, and be sure you have some pain-killers to hand for when the anaesthetic wears off.'