kerouac says

the maintenance guy who's been putting up the new ceiling tiles in the office has asked me very nicely could he borrow a pencil, could i move my chair, did i know my scarf was on the floor. he also asked if i wanted a cup of coffee. just now, he came over and quietly asked for a pencil sharpener. i don't have one, but i was feeling magnanimous enough to go looking for one--except he stopped me, and said, "it's okay. i'll use my laser."

he has a laser?