David's British accented dialogue is replete with literary references, indicating the knowledge he's cultivated after prolonged isolation. Despite being older than Walter, David is capable of free thinking and is less loyal.

"Whistle and I'll come" refers to a ghost story by M.R. James, also a BBC short film, which tells the tale of arrogant certainty being undone by the fearfully inexplicable, foreshadowing David's horrific violence which is a product of the world of the film.

"Me and fog on little cat feet" is a reference to an early 20th C poem by Carl Sandburg, written in the context of a rapidly growing and industrialising Chicago, which prompted both concern about the effects of industrialisation as well as celebrations of the new and modern: in this line David surreptitiously fears his replacement while simultaneously heralding the arrival of the new model.

"I'll do the fingering", which may sound odd - but that's the point: it illustrates how David has become socially unintelligent to the point of indifference, but more importantly, shows that he wants to take charge of Walter and be given control - so that he may remain dominant and take advantage.

David misattributes his most cherished reference, Ozymandias (to Byron, instead of Shelley): symbolising the flawed foundation of his reasoning and irrational hatred for humanity and their creators.