When the clerk announced a verdict of "not guilty," Davis felt certain that the jury had been tampered with.

"You left before I could tell you the number of your suite," announced the alien clerk.

But a clerk sent to the stockroom announces that there are none left: the salesman pushes his other models.

When the clerk announced "guilty" on the fourth count, he flinched.

"This just came in by messenger," the clerk announced.

After five minutes, the clerk announced the citizens rank would reconvene.

"One more," the clerk announced, looking at the group.

"All right, that's it, then, for now," the clerk announced.

It came as a shock later when the clerk who dismissed us announced that we would not be called back until 2003.

The clerk announced that his rate was $370 a night, which is more than most Russians could hope to earn in a month.