Jeff Ryan arrives from Governmental Cavern . Jeff Ryan has arrived. Seale stands next to the receptionist's desk, fitting royal violet-colored shellfish into his mouth as he converses with the receptionist. "None of the prospectives know Mierznykovy," he says sourly between bites. "How exactly is that going to work?" "Not at all," Seale retorts, sitting down at his own bearlike leather seat. "I suppose you're here to tell me how you held a cookie just above the reach of the Castori ambassador?" he asks darkly. "Anything else?" asks Jeff.