[He hears that sound — both of them — and once again reality does a u-turn to smack him in the face.

Yeah, no, fuck off, reality. At least let them have this.]

No, you don't. What do you think they do for fun over there every weekend?

[Wow, l a m e. But even if he can't allow himself to be optimistic, he doesn't want to give the sickos in charge of this the satisfaction of knowing they were able to break him, or any of them, down.]

I wouldn't be surprised if that's where we are right now. 'course, it would be easier to tell with a window.