You lick the edge of a tin of haricot beans. Ralph watches your tongue.

“Is it Ralph or Raiph?” asks the doctor. Ralph doesn’t respond and you carry on licking the can.

The doctor, who had been looking at Ralph waiting for his response, is now also watching your tongue, which is unnerving to you given that you are looking directly him, with your eyes. Usually in such a situation either you would either both be looking at each others’ eyes or both licking a can. I guess that’s why he’s the doctor and you’re the patient. This is not a level relationship.

After a few minutes you put your tongue back into your mouth, behind your teeth and lips, which you then open again, to clarify, “It’s Ralph.”