return unsafeCompare(comparator, a, b);
  }

  static int unsafeCompare(Comparator<?> comparator, Object a, @CheckForNull Object b) {
    // Pretend the comparator can compare anything. If it turns out it can't
    // compare a and b, we should get a CCE or NPE on the subsequent line. Only methods
    // that are spec'd to throw CCE and NPE should call this.
    @SuppressWarnings({"unchecked", "nullness"})

    return unsafeCompare(comparator, a, b);
  }

  static int unsafeCompare(Comparator<?> comparator, Object a, @CheckForNull Object b) {
    // Pretend the comparator can compare anything. If it turns out it can't
    // compare a and b, we should get a CCE or NPE on the subsequent line. Only methods
    // that are spec'd to throw CCE and NPE should call this.
    @SuppressWarnings({"unchecked", "nullness"})