"Oh, so you met her? Good, good."

"What Noid said!"

Ruby's gone. The woman is someone else.

You have to see for yourself. These people are not reliable.

So brown and older? Ruby might have dyed her hair? Though it seems like a stretch at this point.

"What was that about some thing watching you?"

"Like... you aren't alone, you know?"

"It wasn't quite human -- if you know what I mean."

Not human? As in a ghost? Do you know what he means?

Non-human means a predator.

"It was this dark shape climbing upside down along the ceiling... like some kind of crab-man."

"A crab-man?"

"Yeah, you know. The way it was climbing up and around the ceiling. Like a crab."

"It was stalking Acele. Exhibiting ambush behaviour."

Odd. Crabs are usually marine creatures. And not known for climbing walls.

"Are you sure there was a crab-man?"

"Yeah, totally. I mean... I didn't personally see it -- Acele was alone that time, but I believe her. If she comes out running and says there's a crab in there, there's a crab in there."

So he hasn't even been in there lately? Is he afraid?

"You should ask her about it -- but be nice. Don't tell her you don't believe in the crab."

The implications of this are... too numerous to consider. Proceed with caution. Learn all you can before entering that dark building.

There probably is no crab-man. Don't let them draw you in with this nonsense.

"Ambush behaviour." (Nod.) "Crab-man."

"CRAB-MAN!"

"So how can you be sure they're burnouts and dopeheads if you haven't even seen them?"

"Well, honestly, I can't. But I am."

This is a below feeble attempt at avoidance. Basically, he is attempting to weaponise idiocy.

Why not! Let's go with that.

"Wow! You can't. But you do. I should add weaponised idiocy to my own repertoire."

"Hey now!" He furrows his brow. "I'm 70% sure they're substance abusers."

"Don't let all that 'technology' fool you." He makes little quotation marks with his fingers when he says technology. "Where do you think drugs come from?"

The gesture is super-futuristic. Goes well with his spiked imbecile-hair.

"I don't see a single thing wrong with that argument."

"I'm 70% sure they're substance users. Don't let the 'technology' fool you." He makes little quotation marks with his fingers when he says technology.

"Better safe than sorry. Anything more you can tell me?"

"Yes," he leans in for emphasis, "there's also the machinery..."

"Yes? What?"

"What's that engine starting fluid for?" (Point to the bottle of "Coupris L'Ange.")

"It's for starting engines, man."

Is the amiable speedfreak becoming a bit cross with you? Sounds like it.

"What engines do you start with it?"

"What's with the god damn Romangorod Hearings? It's cold, the fluid's for the generator." He points toward the machine.

Keep on it, sire.

"Good. Now, about another thing..."

"How's that extra high ether content working out for you? Does it do the trick?

"I guess it does."

You're not completely satisfied yet.

"Super." (Nod, then let the silence linger.) "And what is ethyl ether anyway?"

"No idea, man."

Did you know ethyl ether is used as a light anaesthetic? And a solvent. And an explosive. And for manufacturing amphetamine.

"Hate to tell you, but it reeks of sweat in here."

"It does, doesn't it?"

"Told you we have a smell problem." He picks up a piece of telephone cord and inspects it.

"It's mixed with a peculiar chemical scent, like laundry detergent..."

He sniffs the air, then shrugs.

It doesn't take a forensic scientist to guess it's drug-related. They look and act like the kind of guys who've done their fair share.

Unlike the girl outside, however, the boys' breathing is regular, their jaws stay put, and their pupils aren't dilated. So they're not under the influence currently.

At least not under the influence of stimulants. That doesn't rule out: hallucinogens, benzos, some depressants... how do you know all this?

However, their breathing is regular, their jaws stay put, and their pupils aren't dilated. So -- not under the influence right now.

A shrug is good enough for us! Why say it when you can shrug it.

"There was another thing..."

"Wait. I also smell ether. Why?"