but when the wheel is turning , and the cracking noises you are hearing are your own bones popping out of their very sockets , and you know that even if you survive this excruciating torment on the rack , that they will put an iron mask on your head with a spike aimed at your adams apple and tighten the screw until it is crushed , then as far as you are concerned , whatever it is that you utter that succeeds in bringing this unspeakable agony to a halt , is , to all intents and purposes , the pristine , undeniable , all-encompassing truth .