A calming pet reads its owner’s rage and mirrors the threat

Evidence

All of the board members were seasoned trial lawyers, older than Schlichtmann, and with many million-dollar verdicts to their credit. At the head of the table sat Ted Warshafsky, a Milwaukee lawyer who’d made his name suing drug companies. He was an excitable man in his late fifties, given to occasional explosive and profane outbursts. On the theory that a pet would have a calming effect, he had acquired a large boxer. The dog accompanied him everywhere. It took an instant dislike to Schlichtmann. When Warshafsky heard half a million dollars, he flew into an apoplectic rage, his face crimson as he shouted at Schlichtmann. Immediately the boxer’s ears went up. It leaped to its feet and put its paws on the table, a menacing eye on Schlichtmann, who half rose from his chair, prepared to bolt from the room. — , Harr Jonathan - A Civil Action, 686

Categorization

• CANDY: A famous trial lawyer brings a boxer to board meetings for calm, and the dog nearly attacks the young lawyer asking for half a million dollars.
• FICTION: A great comic-menace set piece: the animal as emotional barometer in a room where nobody says the danger out loud.