On his way to work, Montang runs into Clarisse, for the second time, and again she questions him nonstop about his feelings towards his wife and work. When he arrives to the fire station, Montang passes the Mechanical Hound, an enormous robotic police dog, which is able to locate and get rid of its prey, once set to someone's chemical balance. Montang is alarmed when the dog growls at him, and tells his concern to his boss, Chief Beatty. His chief dismisses the problem, making arrogant references to the Mechanical Hound and Montang's daily dislike to it.