"Yeah, it is," says Johnny, relaxing a little. "The whole thing is odd. Or fuckin weird, maybe. That's the phrase I would use."

Nova sniffs. "He's got a very dirty mouth," she says.

"You are an insufferable ball of fur," Johnny retorts, though it's more a statement of fact than anything (and really, so was her remark). Arguing with his animal-self is turning out to be kind of a great time.

He hesitates then. "Are you gonna disappear when I wake up?" Nova obviously has no idea; she quivers a little at the thought. He looks at Charley, as if she might know.