Apocalypse tourism, [ Matt says, amused and a little puzzled but without inherent judgment. Part of him can't accept that everything back home--every natural wonder, every corrupt politician, every artist and musician and endangered species--is just gone. And in any case, with this guy so easygoing, it'd feel strange to be freaking out.

At the same time, Matt trusts the man and woman from his underground dreaming entirely. He just can't believe they'd lie to him. This feels true in the way that the clearest of mystical insights feels--like the discovery of a new natural law. ]

Ah--I am good to walk and talk, yeah. [ Matt makes for the archway, trying to ignore the jostling and flapping of ... everything. Returning to a thought from a moment ago, he adds, ] The only thing about past experience is, I was hoping I might be able to learn from it. You've heard the adage about how history tends to repeat or rhyme?