That robe was
pimp
.and his red jammies to boot.
Whose idea was it for the word "Lisp" to have an "S" in it?

I does mean something. Does Sherlock Holmes ring a bell?
Bronson is an anti - Sherlock Holmes or a reverse Sherlock Holmes.
Sherlock Holmes smoked a pipe.
Sherlock Holmes and often wore a dressing gown while in his flats.
Sherlock Holmes assembles clues and does a lot of thinking before taking action. Sherlock Holmes has a partner, Watson.
Sherlock Holmes is paid by "clients".
Sherlock Holmes admits to making mistakes from time to time, but not often.
Sherlock Holmes used special keys to break into places.
Sherlock Holmes had an addiction - to cocaine ( not pills )
All of this fits in. Of course there are many differences, as well. Bishop is not a copy of Sherlock Holmes. There is a lot of very subtle stuff going on in this movie - thus all the interest in it.
My accountant says, 1 + 1, 40% of the time, equals divorce.

The robe is outstanding. It should mean something. Maybe it underlines that he's keyed up, stressed and mentally working when he should be relaxing and sleeping?

Just watching this and yes it is well explained as wax to strengthen your hand.

Orbtastic
What's the stuff he was squeezing/cracking in his hand whilst "contemplating"?
It was a ball of wax. Aurthur discussed it during the scene where he breaks a glass with just his two fingers.
No two persons ever watch the same movie.

it is the testicles from his first contract.
haha no i think it is a stress ball (obviously an old one)
let's finish this the old navy way, first one to die LOSES! - Lloyd Bridges

What's the stuff he was squeezing/cracking in his hand whilst "contemplating"?

i'm saying the robe is a most excellent part of his wardrobe!
let's finish this the old navy way, first one to die LOSES! - Lloyd Bridges

It was the seventies!
'Let's eat Grandma!' or, 'Let's eat, Grandma!' Punctuation saves lives. Use it. Save a life.