Dr. NoSleep (host)

The partners wait as the old woman hums to herself while preparing tea.

Just as Big Man is about to explode off the couch with impatience, the old woman carries a tray of three steaming cups of tea along with a plate of lemon biscuits.

She sets the tray down on the small coffee table separating the couch from the two chairs.

No thank you, ma'am," Skinny Pip replies, garnering a harsh look from Big Man for the informality.

Oh, pish posh, not a bother at all.

Have some.

The old woman stays standing, her eyes boring into Skinny Pip's.

I insist.

If it'll hurry this mess along, Big Man growls.

He grabs a cup, downs the tea, takes two biscuits, and shovels them into his mouth, chewing rudely and loudly.

After a moment, he swallows.

The old woman maintains her stare on Skinny Pip.

Skinny Pip nods, smiles, then takes his tea, sipping politely.

Have a biscuit, the old woman insists.

Skinny Pip hesitates, then plucks a biscuit off the plate.

He nibbles a bit and smiles again.

Yes, that will do fine, the old woman says and walks away.

She moves to a bookshelf where she has a row of figurines set up.

She lifts one off the shelf, a figurine of a short squat man.

There's nothing fancy about the figurine.