“what?”

sharp above all else, boone’s brows furrow, his gaze narrowing from behind his glasses.

the sound of all of his bones crunching. he has been standing in one spot for months.

probably.

[ turning. fortunately, the spot he’s chosen isn’t too horribly far — close enough to novac, but far enough away to be left alone. ]

bet she gets tired of only talking to me. might be nice for her to know i’m in good hands.

i offered.

don’t be.

we could, uh —

i could take you to go see ‘em, i guess, if you wanted.

i did.

uh. they’re out. couldn’t get the kind she liked.

sorry.

but yeah.

. . . not funny.

my wife

i’m simple.

[ there’s a long pause. he hasn’t really focused on ( fun * ) in a while. ]

more or less shooting these days. i’m sure you like more fun things. what about ( you? * )

[ he wouldn’t want to bore her to death, anyway. ]

i think i preferred sir.

[ his voice doesn’t show it, but he’s joking. ]

i’ll try.

[ at least he takes it well. to be fair, he isn’t much better. he’s probably worse, if anything. ]

i figured. it came off that way, if anything.

uh, well, you’ll have more . . . opportunities.

[ he’s hoping she can piece exactly what that means together. ]

don’t. it’s fine.

‘m just not good with this stuff.

he is learning so much today

[ slight pause. wheels visibly turning in his head. ]

oh.

you could just say that next time.

. . . thank you.

i’d uh — consider it.

[ he’s trying his best. ]

oh.

yeah.

. . . it’s like that?

perhaps he’s fumbled.

lead paint stare.

[ he is not very smart. ]

no, no —

uh. you should tell me.

now, i don’t know what you’re talking about.

. . . i’m not surprised.

/ if i typo. i am off the perc.

you wouldn’t climb very high

the what

oh.

[ it’s uncertain, his mind trying to settle on a good response. it’s been a while since he’s heard anything even remotely as nice as that. his face shows his uncertainty in the way his brow furrows slightly — otherwise, it doesn’t show much. ]

thanks.

[ it’s met with a nod. he won’t complain. hell, there’s a part of him that’s thrilled that he won’t have to do much talking. he never could find the right words for many situations, anyway. ]

good.

yeah.

thank you.

i uh — i guess the same for you is true.

i’m not a great talker, though.