[ Immediately, John looks as though someone has slapped him; he leans back in his chair to let this sink in. His eyebrows go on a multi-stage journey. The silence hangs between them, in the wake of that.

Murmured, like an aside: ] Probably better I don't ask about the photogram.

[ He settles back in, laces his fingers as though they are now going to have a reasonable discussion. Like they're back at a research table, and not whatever this is. ]

You know, I'm glad they got the little death bit in there. Be a shame to miss the low-hanging fruit.

[ was that a dirty joke ]