(This takes place as the Scientist cares for The Cook, who has been mute up to this point. The Scientist runs a cloth over the Cook's forehead.)

SCIENTIST: I promise I'll make sure you're okay. As okay as you can be. But there's something we need to discuss. You've been hiding something. The Traveler found the machine in the basement of the shed. I know there's no one else here who could've built it. It is yours, isn't it?

(A rustling.)

SCIENTIST: Is it what I think it is?

(More rustling.)

SCIENTIST: Why? Why would you think that was okay? All the times I've told the Archivist that we needed to focus on things that mattered, all those times we sent the Soldier into town for supplies -- you were wasting time and, and supplies down in a basement you never mentioned?

(Coughing. A glass against wood. Water sloshes, spills.)

SCIENTIST: Listen to me. There is a lie implicit in that machine, Cook, it's the same on the Archivist keeps telling. You know that, don't you? That's why you didn't tell anyone? Things don't get better, Cook. Call it fate, or entropy, or bad luck but -- This -- the situation we are in right now -- this is all we get. It's a plateau, things have leveled off for a while, but they're still declining, and pretending they aren't is just -- it's cruel. You're smart, Cook. You know that.

(A rustle.)

SCIENTIST: No, I won't tell anyone. I'm going to scrap it for parts.

(Quick rustling.)

SCIENTIST: Why shouldn't I? It's yet another mistake of yours. You have somehow found a way to make things even worse.

(Coughing.)

SCIENTIST: It's your fault, Cook. The truth isn't cruel. If you don't want to hear it, you shouldn't have done it.

(Rustling.)

SCIENTIST: Give. Me. A. Reason.

COOK: Please.

SCIENTIST: Did you --

COOK: Please.

(Coughing).

SCIENTIST: I'm sorry. No, it's okay. I won't tell them. We need to talk more about this but -- I'll keep it safe. Here, you should keep drinking. Fluids are --

(The door creaks.)