Mark shrugs. "If I just told you, you wouldn't know."

"What a... fascinating philosophy," says Miles.

"People believe you when you tell them things. Frequently."

"...yes..." says Miles.

"I've done that now and I still don't know how it works."

"I'm really not sure I can explain."

"Probably not," Mark agrees. "It's like breathing, to you. The atmosphere of trust. I have lived my life in a vacuum."

"You could have a life," Miles says desperately. "I don't know what you've got now, but life isn't it. Don't - don't just crawl into my skin and walk away. It's damned uncomfortable to wear sometimes, and I'm afraid you'd find it stifling."

"It's not that I don't know what I stand to gain; it's that I do know what I stand to lose. I told you, you don't understand how I'm afraid."

"Maybe not. But isn't this," he does his best to make a gesture encompassing the room, given that he can only move his head, "an unauthorized venture anyway? Is it that much more of a risk?"

"Yes. This, I can pass off as obedience. The other thing - " He shudders; shakes his head.

"Fine," sighs Miles. "Fine... Look - whatever else happens - listen to Mother. She can teach you to breathe if anyone can."

"Maybe so," he says, half doubt, half hope.

"What... what do you have planned for our father?"

"Not assassination, if that's what you mean... I've read his book. It was fascinating. I think I'd enjoy talking to him. But it's hard to tell. There aren't many people I enjoy talking to." He pauses, then adds, "Ivan's fun."

...Miles can't help laughing. "Ivan?"

"Yes. Ivan, and you. That's it so far. But I might like your wife better if I didn't have to pretend to be you to talk to her. Maybe I'll make the experiment."

"...I feel like I should point out that 'tied to a chair' is probably not her optimal conversational circumstance."

"Is it yours?" inquires Mark.

Miles snorts. "No."

"It's hard to tell. You seem to be doing pretty well."

"I pride myself on my adaptability."

"Hm. Now think of something horrifying, I'm putting you back and the guards shouldn't see you looking like you had fun."