"Excellent," Autor says, nodding cheerfully at the mounts. "I can brave the drill again. I'm getting good at that, I think."

Autor leans down to take a look at the control board. He breathes in through his nose. "Hm," he says, "I can certainly try, if that's the role that's needed. I'll have to learn this right along with you. Which switch controls the volume again?"