There was a furious, deafening roar from the telescreen. The chinless man jumped in his tracks. The skull-faced man had quickly thrust his hands behind his back, as though demonstrating to all the world that he refused the gift.
‘Bumstead!’ roared the voice. ‘2713 Bumstead J.! Let fall that piece of bread!’ The chinless man dropped the piece of bread on the floor. ‘Remain standing where you are,’ said the voice. ‘Face the door. Make no movement.’