Some might say it's far to early for Oswald to be thinking about ascension in power seeing as he doesn't even know his way around town yet, but those people would be wrong with no sense of ambition or taste for social movement. And besides, Oswald's brain would need a complete rewire at this point to make him think any other way.

He strokes the corner of his lips with his thumb, thinking--always thinking--as the Down moves past them beyond the windows of the cab. It smells funny and there's a strange rhythmic rattling sound, but at least it drives.

Eventually, his mind cycles back to various points that Ed has raised. There are a few things that strike him immediately, but one area in particular makes him frown.

"She sounds--" like an idiot. No, Oswald, try again--Ed is taking you to thae house owned by that 'idiot,' "Like a very special kind of naive, if that is the case. Why on earth would you contract with someone like that?"

Well, they're not on Earth anymore, for a start--