


Bernard can't get into it-even though he's taken the soma with everyone else.Everything's rather sexual, so the repetition of the word "coming" isn't accidental.A Voice from above repeats "Oh, Ford, Ford" and everyone is convinced Ford is coming.What follows is a disturbing, ritualistic ceremony with lots of pounding music, soma, signs of the T, and the creepy words, "I drink to my annihilation." They chant a song (twelve times, that seems to be the magic number) that negates individuality and declares allegiance to greater society. The circle around the table alternates male-female.When the last member arrives, he is reprimanded by the President of the Group for being late.Bernard arrives late, and takes his seat (one of twelve) around a circular table next to a woman named Morgana Rothschild, who has a unibrow and is apparently no fun to sit next to.Apparently this building has seven thousand rooms used for whatever it is Bernard is about to take part in.As the clock strikes nine, it bellows out "Ford, Ford, Ford" nine times.He looks up at the clock-"Big Henry." (London's famous clock is actually called "Big Ben," but they clearly changed the name to honor Henry Ford.).On Thursday, Bernard heads dutifully for his biweekly "Solidarity Service day" at the Fordon Community Singery, adorned with lighted "T" signs and emanating synthetic music.
