[By now Evelyn has slumped on the table, face pressed into the crook of her elbow, eyes shut. She still manages to gesticulate appropriately with her free arm, though, the words a little muffled.]

S'a very bothersome habit for a place to have. There aren't many- [Yaaaaaawn.] -stories about places like this, either.

[Evie opens her eyes slowly and fiddles with the handle on her teacup.]

For the...for the...the first week, that whole first week, I thought I was dreaming, and that'd I'd wake up, but it never happened. And there's so many of you - men, I mean - that I was...was worried in the beginning, but you and Mark Meltzer and, um...Daniel LaRouge...have been so wonderful that this place isn't nearly as daunting anymore, so...so thank you.

[Squinting at the china in her hand, she tilts it towards her and stares at the dregs of her drink.]

...I suddenly feel very tired.