Scarecrow said, "I'm fine. This is superior to the alternative." It had slipped out. He hadn't been inclined to say what the superior was. Without missing a beat, he started to form a lie to wrap around that statement in case Emil chose to ask. 'I find empathy very uncomfortable' wasn't the best thing to say before he ended up revealed.

"Please, Emil," said Dr Crane, "take a seat. If there is one? You may have questions."