Conversation · Lena, the Cryptozoologist's wife

"Oh, sweetie, I wish it were that simple. But it's not. Morell was so eager to believe my story was evidence of the phasmid's existence..."

"But... Morell told me you'd seen it."

"He's so proud of it. He always tells everyone..."

"Never mind."

"Right..." She looks around. "It's almost time for me to go too. I can't see what use I can be here..."

"You've given up on the phasmid."

"I'm... in doubt, sweetie. That's all. Everyone is, now and then."

"You're in doubt? About what?"

"You're... on the back foot."

"I've changed my mind. I'll help you find your husband after all."

"So your husband is some kind of scientist?"

"Oh yes," she says with a pinch of pride. "A zoologist -- a cryptozoologist to be more precise."

"What is cryptozoology?"

"It's a pseudo-science that attempts to legitimize research into mythological beasts and urban legends." The lieutenant sounds unimpressed.

"That's one opinion, yes. And people are entitled to their opinions..."

She's used to playing off such insults casually, but they still affect her.

"My apologies, ma'am. I did not mean to undermine your hobby."

"It's not a hobby, dear. It's a sub-field of zoology, one specializing in animal species that are so exceedingly rare that many assume them to be extinct or even fictitious..."

"Searching for such species -- called cryptids -- is difficult and often thankless, and frankly, many scientists are too lazy to do it. Universities these days are rarely interested in supporting real research."

The quality of research at Revacholian universities has been on the decline, but you doubt there was ever a time when cryptozoology was embraced by the academic elite.

She's completely internalized her husband's struggles. They are her own.

"It's really just a sub-field of zoology, one specializing in animal species that are so exceedingly rare that many assume them to be extinct or even fictitious..."

"Turns out the water lock was broken, so your husband is probably just stuck further down the coast. He should return now that it's fixed."

Her eyes light up. "What wonderful news!"

"Thank you, dear. You've already done so much, but if your investigation happens to take you to the other side of the coast, please do keep an eye out for my husband..."

Of course. Do it. Who knows what mysteries await?

The quest for knowledge is never over!

"I restocked the empty trap... Where's Morell?"

"Thank you for doing that, dear." She manages a smile for you.

Her smile is weary. Her earlier ebullience has left her.

"Morell still isn't feeling well. I convinced him to stay at Gary's to get some rest." She looks down at her hands. "I'm afraid the cold has really gotten to him."

"It's probably for the best. It's awfully cold out there in those reeds."

"I'm sorry, dear -- you've had to drudge through them so many times. Such is field work -- a young person's game as they say."

Her voice is shaky. What is going on here?

"So... who's going to check the traps?"

"Morell will eventually. Or we'll talk Gary into going back out, perhaps..."

The lieutenant stares at his shoe, caked in mud. He doesn't say anything.

"I'll take care of it." (Take it on.)

"That really is too much, sweetie. Thank you for your dedication, but I can see you're coming down with a cough yourself."

Fuck that cough. It's not happening. The insides of your lungs are lined with tobacco, a powerful antibacterial agent. You are unstoppable.

Very strange... why is she not letting you do this? It's like she's given up.

"Good luck with that. My bug-chasing days are done."

"I absolutely understand, sweetie. It's for the best, believe me. And thank you for everything you've done for us, truly." She nods with a sad little smile.

Very strange... you get the sense she wouldn't have let you do this even if you did volunteer. Why?

"Once more onto the breach, then!" (Take it on with undue optimism.)

"Something tells me it's up to me again."

"No." She says -- insisting now. "You don't have to do that. Enough of this fool's errand, Morell will do it. Or Gary. You have work to do, I've wasted enough of everyone's time."

Be real -- Gary is not going to help with this.

You've come so far. You can't leave those locusts there, waiting on the ghost reed with no one to witness when it appears...

"He gives up and I'm running around?"

"I'm sorry, dear. It was me -- I made him go home. He gets so stubborn about these things -- luckily his cough kept him from arguing with me."

"Only the hard core players left, huh?"

"Yes." She smiles a cautious smile. "Field work is a young person's game, as they say..."

"Tell me more about this rare insect your husband is looking for."

"Oh, sweetie, it's fascinating..." She catches herself. "But I shouldn't bore you with entomological minutiae."

The lieutenant gives you a sideways glance.

"No, I want to hear about the insect."

"Well," she hesitates. "It's a phasmid technically, but..."

Ah, yes, phasmatodea -- a diverse group of insects whose bodies resemble twigs, leaves, that sort of thing. "Ghost insects," colloquially.

Oh yeah. Here comes the interesting.