Then I'm sorry he's not here. We could probably use the help. [ there's some truth in it, but it's mostly pleasantries; nick wouldn't really wish for anyone else to be dragged into this mess. ]

It'd almost be easier to swallow if it was a different world altogether. [ less easy to settle in, maybe. there's enough here that's familiar to trick you into feeling like you're not somewhere you shouldn't be. ]

Have you been to America before? [ a beat. ] The real one. [ "real". ]