Metal pushbutton -- what's it for?

Not many (any) metal pushbuttons installed from the factory in the last few decades, especially not in the knee-impact area.

Why don't you press the button and see what happens?

I think I've seen far too many James Bond movies to ever do that!

Reminds me of an ancient Nixon/Kruschev joke.

Well don't hold back. Let's hear it!

Bill Putney (To reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my address with the letter 'x')

Yes?

Or maybe it was Reagan/Gorbachev. Or both. So, the Nixons are entertaining Kruschev for an evening at the White House. Dinner, few drinks, coupla laughs, y'know. Conversation ranges all over the place; by and by it comes out that Kruschev is an accomplished pianist. The Nixons usher him to the concert grand Steinway and he sits down and begins playing beautifully.

As he plays, though, he catches site of a red pushbutton installed in the wood panel just to the right of the topmost key. He can't help wondering what it does, and finally his curiosity gets the best of him and he pushes it. A trapdoor above the piano bench opens, and Kruschev is drenched with water. The Nixons roll on the floor with laughter. Kruschev does his best to maintain his dignity.

Time passes, and eventually Kruschev invites the Nixons to the Kremlin. Dinner, few vodkas, coupla laughs. Of course, Nixon can barely contain himself, 'cause he's been practicing piano so as not to be seen as having inferior skill to his Soviet counterpart. After dinner, he casually mentions piano, one thing leads to another, and he finds himself seated at a concert Bösendorffer. He begins playing, but soon notices a green pushbutton mounted in the wood panel just to the left of the lowest key. At first he resists, remembering his own practical joke on Kruschev, but eventually he just has to press the button.

Nothing happens, so he presses it again, and again. Still nothing, but Kruschev is doubled-up on the floor with laughter. Nixon asks Kruschev "Please explain the joke to me so I can take your unique Soviet humor back and explain it to my people in the interest of improved cultural understanding between the Soviet Union and the United States."

Kruschev catches his breath and says "What United States?".

DS (was it worth it...?)