Plot Summary

Nicanor has just finished the ritual of preparing himself a gourmet coffee when two strangers knock at his door. They identify themselves as members of State Security, who have come to install microphones in his house to listen to the antigovernment remarks Nicanor makes. Since they only have two microphones, they ask for his help in choosing the best room to install them and tell him that from now on he can only make his comments in that room.