[As unkind as it might sound, the change is comforting to her. Ben may not be as placid and serene as he was at the hotel, but in Beatrix's opinion that's a good thing – it's better to face your fear than hide from it in a delusion. Still, within this practical attitude there's sympathy. She knows what it's like to build up a comforting reality and have it suddenly torn down.

So they're back to the formal titles. She shakes her head.] I'm not your superior. [Keeping her body language nonthreatening, she leans back against the pool table, hands braced against the sides, and watches him, wondering what he's worried about escaping from.] You're not. I'm avoiding turning in for the night, so believe me, I'm glad you came by.