When In Italy

[Elizabeth]

Did Elizabeth need anything from the electronic store? Absolutely not, but she has seen the picture briefly, and while there were some potential similarities, the few differences aside, the woman wasn't feeling keen towards having the same conversation again. In truth, while it 'could' be her, Elizabeth believed it to be unlikely. Her time in Germany had been short lived and she believed to have been careful prior to her departure with the coven that would forever change and challenge Elizabeth in ways no other group, or individuals had prior. Still, while it was unlikely, there was a slim chance that it could be likely and the only way to know that would be to read the chapter dedicated to this mysterious woman.

The door chimed as Elizabeth entered, set off by the motion of her body. “Hallo!“ Came the boysterious voice of an older gentleman who was busy rearranging a shelf filled with cameras. “Hello.“ Elizabeth said with a cordial dip of her head and a smile as she moved to the cameras. While her cellular device had a camera, Elizabeth suspected that it would not do the trip justice. She wasn't looking for anything high end, just something better than her phone. “Kann ich Dir helfen?“ He asked as another camera was shifted around, Elizabeth shaking her head.

“I only speak English or French. Apologies.“ Elizabeth said as she picked up a camera and peered through it, after he nodded in understanding. She also spoke very rough Irish thanks to Shamus, but there was no point in announcing that. Chances are the owner of the store didn't speak it, if they did not speak English. After a few more glances into various cameras, Elizabeth turned her attention to the male and pointed to the camera. “That one please.“ The woman in orange and black moved slowly towards the counter as he crouched down to unlock a case and grab a camera that was in a box.

After she made her purchase, Elizabeth made her way back towards the bookstore as indicated earlier. Not seeing him outside the store, Elizabeth glanced inside the window, only to be met face to face with the woman from earlier. Elizabeth groaned softly as the woman frantically waved Elizabeth to come in, to which, Elizabeth cautiously entered, only because she hoped Charles was in there. After a quick glance around before being assaulted vocally by the woman, Elizabeth realized that Charles was not in the bookstore.

“Since the author is going to be here for a book signing, I know you're not her, but...I think it would be really groovy to show her. I swear you two could be sisters, you know, four hundred and some odd years ago.“ The woman started rambling, before Elizabeth sighed and turned to the woman pointedly. “I only came in here to look for my friend. The one looking for atlases. Do you know in which direction he went?“ Her eyes moved to the book on the counter, the very same copy Elizabeth had in her suitcase back at the hotel, before returning an almost exasperated line of vision to the woman before her.

“I think I do...I'll tell you for a quick pick. We could take a selfie!“ The woman bounced away to the counter, clearly not giving up until she got the picture she was wanting. “I was being polite in asking thee, I can find him with or without your help.“ Elizabeth stated as she followed after the woman who had her back turned to Elizabeth while she unlocked her phone. “Where did the gentleman go?“ Elizabeth asked as she stopped a few feet away from the woman, who started shaking her head. “Uh, uh. That's not how the deal works.“ Not that Elizabeth had made a deal, but somehow in this young woman's mind she either did not care, or hadn't heard Elizabeth correctly.

“I see.“ Elizabeth replied coldly, as the woman turned around, and fidgeted with a few more things on her phone. Just as she was lining up the phone for a picture of Elizabeth, the phone on the desk smashed against the front of the woman's face, splitting her lip open as the cellphone went flying out of the salesclerks hand. The woman reeled backwards into the counter, head conking on the side of the counter, before she slumped down to the hardwood floor in the bookstore. The blonde haired telepath bent down and grabbed the phone, tossed it in her purse, then moved around the counter. The cash register was picked up with simple ease, given Elizabeth's vampire state of being, then tossed to the ground, as if to look like a robbery gone astrew. Her blue hues looked for a camera in one of the corners in the store, but found no visible ones.

The book was taken off the counter and placed in the bag with her camera purchase, before Elizabeth made her way out of the bookstore, almost oblivious to the small spot of blood on the orange part of her dress at her left shoulder. With a lick to her index finger, she attempted to collect most of the blood off, slightly smearing the pushpin sized droplet in the process. Not certain where Doc had gone to, Elizabeth felt it best to travel back to the hotel, only because it wasn't smart to be caught loitering around a scene where a crime had been committed.

Surprised to see him in the hotel lobby, Elizabeth glanced down at the barely visible blood smear that blended in with the orange color-almost, then at him. “Doc!“ She exclaimed, before heading over to where he sat, both her hands within the handle of the bag. “Find everything in which you need?“ Elizabeth asked as her eyes stayed fixed upon him. “If so, perhaps on the way to the airport one could assist me with setting up my most recent purchase?“ Time was of the essence now. "Shall we call for a cab?" The sooner they left, the better it would be for everyone.

[Doc]

Doc started to answer her question, only to have her rush on without allowing him time to answer. This was out of character for her. Along with the way she stared at him, as she reaffirmed the need to go. It wasn’t so much the words, or the questions, it was the determination behind her words and actions that were different. He drew a breath to speak, and as he did, he recognized the scent of blood. But whose? Looking over her shoulder toward the exit, he said, “The car is already waiting for us; if you wish to lead the way?” He collected his bag.
The glance at her purchase, told him it was an electronic item. “The black SUV.” Doc told her, while he looked toward the electronics store. Nothing untoward there. Perhaps she snacked. He pushed the thought out of his mind.

Upon following Lizzie to the SUV, He opened the door for her, as he took control of her bag. “I’ve got this.. “ He saw her settled, before he handed both his bag and hers to the driver to be stowed in the rear. He took a seat beside Lizzie in the rear of the SUV, while giving a quick look about to make sure all was well. Only after the vehicle had been put in motion, did Doc turn his attention to Lizzie, “So let me get your thoughts on the occult.” he paused while he collected his thoughts, “I have always been of the mindset that science was the answer to everything.” He shrugged his shoulders, “As you know,” he looked at the driver, unsure how well he may understand English before once more looking at Lizzie, “There are things that you and I both are loath to explain with science. That being the case, what if there was more to the occult, than I have ever given credence to it.”

Idly as he spoke, Doc spun the ring on his finger. It was a relic imbued with power. Power that could not be explained with science. He tapped the book subconsciously. “What if some of the answers I seek are .. not found in the usual .. scientific ways?”

Some of the things that he read during that short period of time while Lizzie was shopping, got him thinking. The shadow Realm was one such thing that could not be explained by science. Relics another. Vampire healing properties. He had spent years in his lab trying to find the baseline to vampirism. But thus far it had eluded him. Eluded him to the point that it was more of a frustration than that of education, so that his attention to that quest had waned in favor of other pursuits. His thoughts bounced from one point to another how the occult may hold more answers to his questions, than he had ever contemplated.

[Elizabeth]

Either Doc had nothing else to do, or he sensed the urgency in Elizabeth's desire to leave. Whatever the case, it meant that they were leaving the area before any attention would be drawn to the bookstore, and anyone around it. As they headed towards the front of the hotel, she traded in her ticket for her bag and stiffened ever so slightly when Doc took her bags. “Thank you, Charles.” Elizabeth had to remind herself that he was not the 'enemy,' so to speak. Most times no one was, other than herself.

Both her hands found her lap as she waited for Doc to join her in the SUV. When he did, it took off a few seconds after he was in and settled. A few minutes later, Doc asked a rather unusual and unexpected question, which had Elizabeth giving him a sidelong glance of interest. No reply came from the woman as she listened to Doc more or less 'talk' his thoughts out. Once there was some silence, her gaze shifted out the window, before the index finger on her right hand traced the reflection that only she could see.

“In truth, I have not given the occult much thought.” Elizabeth began as her eyes closed and the woman's thoughts moved past the hear and now, to those of her human years. “You are a man of science, it is what you know. It is what is comfortable. It is something that is tangible and proven, or easily discredited.” Her eyes opened so that she would focus on Doc as Elizabeth looked at him once again, the finger sliding down the window to fall into her lap. “I, on the other hand...was never of the same mindset. When I was a child, I believed in religion. Perhaps naively, but I believed that if I believed enough, that life would one day get better. It was a childish notion, but in some sense, a realistic one. I was but a child, and still a child when I was married, and so one could not be faulted for thinking as one in some respects.”

She took a deep breath in, then let it out before she continued. “I was never fortunate enough to receive a miracle, as others had, or so the stories go within the Bible.” Elizabeth laughed, then rolled her shoulders. “But, that does not mean that some of the encounter written do not have truth to them. And if they do, then I ask thee, how can we prove such a thing? Centuries have passed, and perhaps what one wants to be for their miracle or saving grace, is not what they are destined for, or the miracle in which some higher being sees fit for them.” She had no thoughts about religion now, yet Elizabeth felt the need to share her thoughts and personal story filled with uncertainties. “And so, what if whatever is found, is due to the occult? How can one prove something that is not provable? I cannot attempt to answer that to give thee the piece of mind, or definitive answer in which you are comfortable with, Charles.” Her left hand reached out for the middle, unused seat belt buckle between them, as her attention focused on it, and moved from the conversation, temporarily as the Telepath started to alter the appearance of the buckle.

“We cannot deny the occult in some respect, just as a person who believes they have been given a miracle, second chance, or whatever it may be from a higher being that may, or may not exist, cannot deny this higher being. They have no proof, yet they believe it because they have experienced it. Sadly, though it may be out of one's element, as the results are so ambiguous, that may have be what satiates thee for now.” Her hand unwrapped, then pulled away from the ordinary buckle, to reveal its new, temporary state. A silver buckle embedded with gold flecks on both the front and back. “Sometimes, all we have is the just the first hand experience, and nothing else, Charles.” Elizabeth smiled, her attention shifting back to the window as the SUV exited the freeway stretch as the airport rolled into view.

[Doc]

Nodding, Doc gathered his thoughts before finally speaking. “Yes. I relate to, and can understand science quite easily. There are laws or rules that are followed, and when the rule or law is broken, then you have discredited the science. You have found the flaw in the formula. Science dictates that, one plus one equals two. Things can be proven backwards and forwards, because the rules will be true.” He glanced at the driver, before looking at Lizzie, raising his eyebrow slightly, signalling to her he was taking poetic license.

“But as you know, there are things that cannot be explained so easily with science.” He absently played with the relic ring he wore. “You mentioned miracles. I have never seen such either. And religion? To be truthful that was the ignorance of man clinging to the belief in a greater power to make their lives better, to give themselves excuses.. Crops failed? It wasn’t due to lack of rain or disease, no.. someone in their midst was a sinner. Lay the blame at their door. It was easier to have a physical being to blame than something unknown as weather patterns or disease.” He paused for a moment, as he got his thoughts in order. Explaining his doubts, was not something he was at ease in doing. He liked having answers. He liked knowing how those answers came to be. But religion, and the occult? Science could not be applied to them. At least not in Doc’s mind. And to voice that he didn’t know the answers? It was a cutting blow to his ego. Something he never dealt well with.

Noticing her playing with her buckle, he did not miss the significance of her actions. His gaze moved to her face, “Precisely. There is no science for that. And yet there it is. How?” He sighed, “I find that not knowing the basis for it happening, and having no trail of clues to follow to divine it’s answer, frustrates me. And yet.. There it happened. The effects are clear to be seen. But -how- did it happen? What was the basis for catalyst that allowed it to happen? It can be replicated, but there is no tangible or quantifiable actions that can account for it.”

He subsided into silence for a few moments, “I suppose my point is.. If there is no baseline, there is no point at which we can pinpoint as a definitive starting point. So we need to mindful of pinpointing our actions, suppositions, reasoning for taking one option as opposed to another.”

[Elizabeth]

As Elizabeth imagined, she was not far off from her suspicions about Doc and his comfort zone in regards to attaining an answer. Elizabeth listened to his shared thoughts, then allowed her shoulders to roll slightly. She did not have the answers; in truth no one did. Not her sire, not any elder that remained within Harper Rock. Perhaps it was more valuable than Elizabeth realized to leave the city after all. To not stay secluded, as it were.

“And yet, we take part in things daily that we cannot make sense of. We both have...families for lack of a better word,” Elizabeth glanced at Doc, impressing upon the importance of a conversation of subterfuge while in the midst of the driver. “We know how it came to be, to an extent, but does anyone know the precise moment in which they were expanded? Or, take in case, dietary restrictions. Some can have this, while others in the same family cannot...some can enjoy that, while others never will be.” She smiled and slowly shook her head as they made their way to the drop off point for each airline.

“There are some things that we will more than likely never know or understand. We will have proof, but how we replicate said proof may never be done. And what may be true now, may not be in a decade from now.” Yes, what Elizabeth had known as a younger vampire was so much different to what she now knew and was capable of. How did it happen? Some suspected the veil, but it could never be confirmed.

“I have not the answers for you, regardless of what it is I think I know and what it is I actually know. I suppose that in this case, we will have to go with the best method out there. If it seems to be a certain way, then it more than likely is. We, generally speaking, do this day in and day out. If it looks as if it may rain, then we bring an umbrella or a rain coat. If someone seems interested in another at, say a bar, sometimes it leads to acting upon those impressions...taking a chance, I believe it is called? And seeing where it goes. While some things in life can be definitively explained, others...we leave to chance.” Elizabeth countered with another lift of her shoulders, before the vehicle came to a stop. “It is not a for certain science or methodology, Charles, but when I was a child, risks were taken often to achieve a potential goal or answer. Even in science and medicine.”

With the vehicle stopped, Elizabeth opened her car door and stepped out of it. She glanced around, then moved towards the back where their bags were located. The driver hustled out of the car and opened the back, then offered Elizabeth her bags, before putting Charles' bags on the curb besides Elizabeth. “I am certain we will come to the best conclusions possible.” Elizabeth assured Charles once her line of vision fell upon him, offering him a reassuring smile.

[Doc]

Doc took his wallet out, gave the cabbit the fare and a generous tip, before stepping over and collecting his bag. He stayed silent as he followed Lizzie into the airport. He understood her point about vampires all having different specialities and abilities, as well as each having different limitations than others. He often griped that he should have been like Vel.. a necromancer. Even Cat his firstborn spawn was necromancer. But no, he was a ******* shadow. Sure he could get into places others couldn't as easily. He didn’t need to be invited in, he could get in where ever he wanted. But what came effortlessly to Vel and Cat, he took him more effort and concentration. Yes, he did eventually learn it. But it took time and effort. He was a surgeon for **** sake. Controlling the body should be second nature! Why was he a ******* shadow?!

What eluded Doc, was simple. He was first and foremost a killer. He picked a target, tracked them, hunted them, and killed them, for his own personal satisfaction. Doc believed himself, to be first and foremost a surgeon, a physician. But he was wrong. Doc only became a surgeon in his middle twenties. By that time he already had double digit kills under his belt. Doc was a killer, and being a surgeon was his career. If viewed from that aspect, anyone could easily see why he was a shadow. But Doc never shared his kills with anyone. There were one or two people, both vampires, that would guess he had killed before being turned, but neither had proof.

Doc broke his train of thoughts, as he and Lizzie checked in, and went through security. There were too many people around them, for him to feel comfortable speaking about their previous subject, so he changed the subject, and pulled the brochure out of his pocket and handed it Lizzie.

The brochure read “Turin Underground Tour - see the real Turin”. Reading closer she would read, ‘Get underneath the skin of Turin with this guided tour of the underground Turin. The city that has long been shrouded in mystery. From the occult to black magic, Turin has long been known as a mysterious place. Fifteen meters below the city, the tunnels of the citadel and the sub-cellars of the Baroque palaces are waiting to let you discover their mysteries, on sites of ancient murders which have never been solved. And now you can literally go underground to explore the tunnels that run beneath the ancient palaces and churches and hear stories of unsolved murders and ghostly intrigue.’

“It sounds .. interesting. I am sure it is more glamorized for the tourists. But what if there is more to it? There was some reason someone built such an elaborate underground city. A city without sun.. ” He shrugged.

[Elizabeth]

A brochure was offered to her and Elizabeth took it, glimpsing at it quickly. Her brows rose, uncertain of Doc's desire to share this information with her. As they walked towards their terminal, Elizabeth glanced at a clock to make certain they were making good on time, before the blonde haired telepath finally spoke. That was, after there was a teasing smile put upon her lips.

"You certainly know how to show a woman a wonderful time, don't you?" Elizabeth flipped the brochure over to collect more information about the tunnels, before she grew serious and nodded her head in agreement. "I think it may be a good idea to investigate the tunnels. Logically, it seems to fit the profile of certain types. Not everyone desired to be among others." The living is what Elizabeth wanted to say, but resisted for obvious reasons. "Since we have no real place to start, why not there?" Elizabeth agreed with Charles, as she handed the brochure back to him.

Just as they approached the terminal an announcement blared over their heads, indicating in both German and English that their flight was boarding by sections in five minutes. Make certain you have your boarding pass (either electronic or paper) out and ready as passengers boarded. Her eyes glanced down to her carry on, where Elizabeth knew her ticket to tucked safely away. "As much as you may discredit religion, older monasteries may be a place of interest. It is rumoured that larger traveling guilds and the like often rested at such places." She suggested, uncertain if there were any around and just how old they might actually be. Though, she knew it to be true from first hand experience. Not something that she wished to speak about, however.

"I believe that is us." Elizabeth mentioned as soon as the P.A. system announced that business and first class were about to board for their flight. She moved off to the side of the walkway, stopped and unzipped the front of her bag to gather her paper based ticket. Once it was within Elizabeth's left hand, she continued towards the plane where the she offered her ticket to be checked in, then moved inside the plane in search for their row. "Or older theatres. The legitimate ones." She said with a wry smile, knowing that there were different types of theatres these nights. Ones that Doc was more familiar with than Elizabeth was. Once their bags were stored above their heads and each in their seats, Elizabeth turned to look at Doc. "Which movie does one suggest for this flight?" She assumed he would once again prefer the comfort of silence before having to hear her opinions on matters Doc already had his mind made up on.

[Doc]

As Lizzie explained about travelers staying at monasteries, he saw the wisdom in that action. While pulling out his ticket, he mentally thought that If he had lived during that time period and had to travel, staying with those that believed in a higher power, would be far more safe than sleeping under the stars, open to attack from any quarter. However he took exception, with her comment that he discredited religion and countered with, “I do not discount religion. Religion is discounted as a whole, no matter the name, by their own actions. Why? Because none of them told the truth..” Not wishing to cause unrest with vocal comments that could be overheard, he said the remainder telepathically. ~None of them spoke of us. Of Vampires. That is why they are discounted. If they cannot speak of the whole truth, what else do they hide? Men use religion for power.~

Doc fell silent as they moved from the terminal check in, to the plane, then finally to their seat. Having successfully stowed their bags in the overhead compartment, Doc took his seat. While buckling his seatbelt, she asked about which movie they should watch. Doc got an impish grin as he looked at her sideways. “Have you ever seen, “Interview with a Vampire”?” He touched the menu on the screen in front of him, “I have never seen it, however, the spawn kept nagging me to watch it.”

His thoughts briefly went to Catherine, his first born, who no longer resided in the city of Harper Rock. He wanted to say he didn’t care that she was gone. She was an adult. If she wanted to leave, so be it. He didn’t need her. He got along just fine before her, and he was getting by just fine now, without her. He wanted to be able to say it and mean it. However, he did miss her. He missed the oddest things about her. Her demented obsession with lizardmen. Her snarling Tazmanian Devil animal form.

Lost in the thought he smirked to himself, remembering the first time Cat had been in animal form, and being unable to change back. Once she finally had her vampire form back, she wailed and sobbed inconsolably on his shoulder about her dream where she was stuck being a demented weasel. She was not right in the head. His smirk growing more crooked as it grew. Doc missed his insane spawn. Breaking free from his reverie, he scrolled through the movie list.

“It’s not listed.. Pity.” Continuing to scroll through the available titles, he flicked back through the incredibly shot list. “Our choices seem to be limited.. ‘Power Rangers’..” He shrugged, “No idea what that is about.. And.. ‘Broken: The Incredible Story of Brangelina’,” He turned to look at her, “I think I would prefer to eat broken glass, than watch that.” He went through the list again, “Oh wait.. I almost forgot.. There is this one.. “Unforgettable. Story of an angry ex-Ball and Chain.”

[Elizabeth]

She buckled her seat belt as Doc spoke about his opinions on religion and the lack of the ideology telling the truth. “That is, if they knew such beings exist. Many in our own city knew not such a thing until...a year or so ago?” Elizabeth countered with a roll of her shoulders, before glancing at the screens as Doc mentioned a title that had her raising a brow.

“I must admit I never have either.” She professed, though he would know such a thing given her earlier admissions on the flight prior. “You are lucky.” Elizabeth commented idly as he mentioned being nagged. It was not often she was bothered by any of her childre, or saw them; the exception being Cosimo when he worked. She understood he had other obligations; his own childre and Athena, but there were others that she knew were around, but heard from so seldom. Her thoughts did not extend any further than that singular comment, as titles of movies were mentioned by Doc.

“I have heard of neither of these, but...” Elizabeth turned to look at Doc, an amused look upon her face, before continuing. “I think the broken glass would be amusing to watch.” She professed, before Elizabeth grew silent; thoughtful. “One has a very negative connotation about marriage, or more specifically, the other gender in said marriage.” The statement was said as a matter of fact and not one of judgment. Still, Elizabeth was interested.

Her eyes moved to the window that was closest to Doc as the plane reversed and started its journey to the runway. “I can understand to some degree. Given my first...arrangement when I was much younger.” She glanced at Doc, hoping he understood what time in her life she was speaking of. “It took me a great while to find the idea of a committed relationship to be...appealing, as it were. A very long time.” Centuries, in reality, but not something she was going to share. Not everyone would perhaps have taken as long as she would have, even in her exact predicament.

“I just find myself curious as to your usage of the word. You call your own that, and then refer to a character in a movie as such...I find myself confused as to why, when there is a negative connotation associated with the other half, you find yourself in such a scenario. Usually, it is the reverse. Individuals shy away from something they do not desire or want to be part of. Yet, you seem to be in a paradox of sorts. Does one desire to be miserable for...eternity?” Her blue eyes moved back to Doc as the plane straightened out and the lights dimmed in the cabin. Lights for fasten seat belt and stay seated binged repeatedly as the plane started to accelerate before finding air.

“It is none of my business.” Elizabeth continued once the plane leveled out and the engines quieted, “But if we are friends, I pose a very serious question. One that perhaps is best to be left as nothing more than rhetoric.” Her attention moved to people within the cabin they were in, observing them and nothing more. “What if, hypothetically, your life would one day mirror my own? Years, upon years, in the same location, wandering...searching for a way out, only to never find it? And while one was kept with the company of their own thoughts, you thought back to here and now. Is one satisfied with how they will have left things behind, or?” Elizabeth's shoulders lifted into a high shrug before she added on, “And do not give me the spiel about happiness and if it exists or not. I am not asking about your happiness, but ones sense of fulfillment, in many respects, I suppose. Just something to ponder, even if the scenario is unlikely.” She waved a dismissive hand, then glanced at the woman going around, asking about condiments as the seat belt light had been shut off for a few minutes now. “I do wonder how glass tastes...When will we find out?” Elizabeth mused aloud for the both of them, as her attention shifted back to Doc.

[Doc]

“Misery for eternity..? How much time do you have?” Doc smirked, “Oh wait.. Two or more hours then we touch down..” He raised his eyebrows in a facetious manner, “I will tell you. You may wished you had not asked. But it is too late now.” He angled himself as best he could in the airline seat, so he could look at Lizzie, as he told the tale.

“You have understand Lizzie, you’ve only seen me .. in the best of situations. You have never seen me.. When I am..” He grimaced, “pissed off. It’s not pretty. It isn’t something I like about myself. But .. I am a ******* proud person. Too proud. I hate to be wrong. It ******* galls me to be wrong. And when I am right.. And I know I am right.. I will die before admitting defeat. Which is..” he gestured, “how am I .. what I am .. now. I lost. I was wrong.”

Doc’s tone lightened, “I was wrong in a major way. I was angry for a long time.” A shrug, “Actually a sliver of time, as we count it now.. But at that moment.. For me.” He stopped gave her a serious look, “It was an eternity. When I am angry.. I make poor decisions. One might even say stupid.. Foolish.. Infantile life changing decisions. Hence the Ball and Chain. But the actions were mine. I accept them. I may not like them. But I made them. I will stick to them.”

Then he grinned at Lizzie, “But the key to this, for me.. Is... I am not seeking a way ..’out’. Out of what? The binding? Why bother? She avoids me. We go on. We do our own thing. I am not changing who I am for her. I am who I am.

“I am not saying I am happy. I am not saying, I am even content. But I am curious. And I do have questions. And I will find those answers. No matter how long it takes, or where it takes me. Fortunately, I have that time, now. I am no hurry to get out. I intend to methodically catalog and search for those answers. Once I have the answers I am looking for.. chances are good, more questions will arise.”

Doc reached over and took her hand in his. “But.. you. Lizzie." He grin faded, as he gave her a pointed look, "What is it.. You want 'out' of?”