after sitting awhile , rooted in his club chair , with the taste of blood in his partially open mouth , sensation having slowly and painfully tingled its way back into his benumbed lower limb , he paused , deep in thought , musing over the world he had left ; then merlot suddenly sprang into life , sculled the last mouthful of wine , gathered up his belongings and took off down the escalator , towards his gate , as if he were apollyon himself .