[ There are things Ellis has suspected about Tony. He hasn't asked, but he'd understood that there had been pain. Now, as Tony speaks, it's as if he pulls aside a curtain. The shape of all Ellis' carefully ignored suspicions resolve, become unmistakable.

His spoon scrapes the bottom of the pot. Ellis puts it down, doesn't reach for the tankard. ]

You have time to decide if you want it.

[ What comfort can he really offer? Ellis doesn't know the answers. ]

But knowing...I don't know if it helps. You're still here, not there. And whatever he tells you won't be a complete picture.

[ Would it be worse to know parts of the story? Would it be worse to sit with a different set of questions afterwards? Ellis doesn't know that either. He has a complete answer. There are no more questions for him. ]