[ at first he just blinks, somehow not having expected that derailment, but a moment later he appreciates it.

eager as he is for the distraction, he wouldn't respond so readily if it weren't also useful and relevant. work the problem. just the act of breaking it down in his head is soothing. ]

Think we could get Captain Kangaroo to actually try that? Because I would pay an irresponsible amount of money to see the look on his face.

[ but he's sitting down, and then the next second he's dragging his fingers through the sand, idle nonsensical patterns while he thinks ]