No, no, you're not ready yet, not nearly ready yet.
[He seems to say this more to himself than to Cooper, low and rapid, musing aloud. And then, abruptly, intense, shouting—]
That's not how you play the game, Cooper!
[And then his voice drops low again, but it's not smooth this time, it's edged and threatening and feral, like a dog on the end of its leash.]
And you will play, or I will find someone to take your place. And you, you won't die, but you'll wish you had, because I'll make sure she doesn't die, either, when I send you her fingers and ears and eyes. And if she does? Whoopsie-daisy, we start over again tomorrow with a fresh slate and a full board, again. And again. And again.
no subject
[He seems to say this more to himself than to Cooper, low and rapid, musing aloud. And then, abruptly, intense, shouting—]
That's not how you play the game, Cooper!
[And then his voice drops low again, but it's not smooth this time, it's edged and threatening and feral, like a dog on the end of its leash.]
And you will play, or I will find someone to take your place. And you, you won't die, but you'll wish you had, because I'll make sure she doesn't die, either, when I send you her fingers and ears and eyes. And if she does? Whoopsie-daisy, we start over again tomorrow with a fresh slate and a full board, again. And again. And again.