Raising your hand to speak

When Batman and Robin aren't engaged in homoerotic banter they sit wearing headphones. There are three options if you need to talk to them. Shouting is the most obvious and the least, internally, rewarding. Sure, they respond to the shouts, but ... it just doesn't satisfy.

If I know the answer that I want then I'll pause after asking a question and then answer myself, "I'll take that as an affirmative."

Again, it's not satisfying, but it does allow me to take actions I want rather than actions that I know are correct.

"Hey, I asked you!"

If I don't give a damn about the answer, but I want to demonstrate that I think we should be communicating then I'll raise my hand. Ask the question, get no response, raise my hand and stare at the person.

"Permission to speak, sir."

Batman wasn't in today, so Robin sat at his desk, headphones on, and foot tapping ... something.

"WAN FAR THAY MAHNAY!"

Cool. I'm sure whoever original performed whatever it is you're ... um ... singing ... I'm sure whoever originally performed whatever it is you're singing must be terrified. That, or they're just as angry as I am.

An e-mail arrived from one of the partners. Attachments, but no explanation other than, "Robin said forward these to you."

"Robin, why's Shug sent me these files?"

Robin's foot thudded out thud, thud, thud on the floor.

"Is there a problem?"

Thud, thud, thud.

"Okay, I'll take it that means there isn't."

Thud, thud, thud. Thud, thud, thud, but there's a problem and the problem is that the problem's on my desk. I raised my hand and stared at Robin.

A few moments later he pulled off his headphones and shouted out, "WHAT?"

"Permission to speak, sir."