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Common Sense
These are times that try men's (and android's) souls.
The story takes place between episodes 14 and 15.
The weather had been disagreeable for several days, and neither Norman nor Dorothy could decide which was worse, the weather or Roger's mood. After his encounter with R.D., the Dominus had to endure several days of forced inactivity while his arm healed. Forcing Roger to do something was a proven way to put him in an abominable mood and; as the ones carrying out the doctor's orders, Norman and Dorothy were the main targets of Roger's ire. They had almost run out of patience with their employer when they discovered him standing on the terrace drenched by the heavy rain.
Going out into the cold, driving rain to talk the Master into coming inside was not something that Norman looked forward to doing. He eyed Dorothy speculatively wondering if she would be willing to take on the job, but at that moment the android, despite her deep romantic feelings for Roger, seemed more inclined to toss him over the balcony railing than to cajole him into coming indoors.
The old gentleman suppressed a sigh as he put on his overcoat, opened an umbrella and stepped into the rain.
"Some people chose choose to stand in the rain without an umbrella," Roger growled when he saw his butler. "That's what it means to be free."
Norman quickly realized that given Roger's current mood polite words and tact would be a waste of time. What the lad needed now was some simple unadulterated honesty.
"Quite true, Sir," the old man answered evenly. "But some people don't have the sense to come in out of the rain. That's what it means to be stupid."
Roger gaped at Norman, shocked by his bluntness. Then as he remembered his behavior to both Norman and Dorothy over the past few days, Paradigm's top negotiator had the grace to blush.
"I haven't been very easy to live with the past few days have I?" he asked ruefully.
"No Sir, you have not," replied Norman in the same even tone.
"Norman, please accept my apology for the way been behaving and thank you for coming out here to talk some sense into me," said Roger reaching for the umbrella.
"After you Master Roger," continued Norman holding the umbrella a little further away from Roger as he politely gestured toward the door. "I'm sure a man as intelligent and mature as yourself understands the responsibilities that accompany freedom."
"Point taken, you old fox," thought Roger, his shoulders shaking with silent laughter as he walked across the rain-swept terrace to the warmth of his home.