He didn't realize when it snapped, when the steel in his spine, the programming that had been done over and over again, tightened the noose around his neck, and her anger and command took on power over him.

But, by the time she'd promised him work later, he was completely in the mindset of listen-and-obey.

His voice was a little different, when he answered, duller, more child-like even. "Yes, ma'am."

The simple, dead words slipped after her before the door was closed. He took a few automatic bites from the food she had set before him, without registering any of the flavors, then settled against the bar, not quite at ease though not fully at attention, his eyes fixed on the screen she'd left through, and waited.