"Damned peculiar, is what it is," Teddy agrees, wrapping the blanket around himself. "Though things have been peculiar, of late, even for the afterlife."

That sort of statement might alarm a person, and Teddy feels obligated to follow it up and explain himself somewhat.

"Son," he says, leveling the young man with a serious and presidential stare, "I don't mean to alarm you, and let me assure you I speak in perfect frankness, but I believe I may be deceased."