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He must be listening in, on his own nano-receiver.

Rubbish for gold. You should take him up on this deal immediately, before someone else does.

Progress! Suspense! Quick, ask more!

Best to sound it out, just to be clear.

There's something you're missing, a piece that doesn't quite fit.

Do not entertain further investigations of what the smudge may be. It's safe to assume that you don't want to know.

Uhhh... this just sounds like talking to HOLOCENE.

A dirty little city bird. A winged rat.

As usual, now and forever, you have no earthly idea what he's talking about.

Ocean, probably?

A puppet, there's someone hiding in the pile beneath it.

The Opera have a secret camera. Through that camera, they watch you flail in an ocean of miscommunication. As they watch, they laugh.

You have not the remotest idea what you are meant to do with this information.

No pattern discernible.

Maybe try... 'Violeta, Ultra'?

About time! Dissonance reconciled at minimum psychic cost.

He's insulting you.

They're going to pin this on you, obviously. That's why you're here. This is a big set up.

You've got your lines crossed here. He's got nothing to do with secret jails.

The gas makes your mind swim.

She's using the equipment to do something to her dreams...

It's just the old pipes.

Must be someone on the other side.

So not technically zero. Cool.

It finds you wanting, but how?

Easy? So, like... alphabet but reversed...

This is old news. You've cracked his stupid cipher.

No. There's nothing to consider. Your brain cells rebel at the thought.

Don't forget your coats as you make for the exits.

This is wrong. You shouldn't be here. This should be happening to someone else.

Checks out. No discrepancies detected.

Wow. An under pressure phase. He really pulled it off, right when it mattered.

Perhaps an avid Einzeltone collector?

Drink from the ancient spring of stoned teenage philosophising.

A seeming non sequitur.

Right. Alcohol is known to damage the brain, after all.

Enough poetry. Move on.

... Hmm. He's right.

This is the final stage of the simulation. She arranged it all this way. For you to find each other at the end.

Probably not about you.

Free money, no downsides detected.

Just what the assignment called for. Some Big Thinking.

Who is Hershel Wilk? What is techno-fascism? Is squirt piss?

He's right... the vegetables are probably setting up home in your brain grooves right now.

RADIAN is an audio engineer. That scene you walked in on looked nothing like his line of work.

Mystery solved. PSEUDOPOD listened to a priceless tape and lost his soul.

You did, and it did. Does that mean...?

This checks out. PSEUDOPOD didn't look like he'd be popular with... anyone. A lead, at last!

56 skill checks - ZERO PARADES field manual