With the snow on the ground now, it's beginning to look a little bit like home here. At least in the park. The buildings do spoil the illusion somewhat. Glacia may be remote, but we aren't nearly so run-down.

Hmmm. Now that I think of it, I really do need to start considering gifts...

There's something very strange in the air. Who'd fooling around with things they shouldn't now?

Well, that was more tiring than I'd hoped expected it would be. It seems there's a way to go still. Unfortunate, given how precarious everything seems to be.

Unless that gibberish was good news? I doubt it, somehow...

What is this Hallowe'en people keep mentioning?

[There is cursing in a variety of languages. Karla has an ear for the important phrases.]

Do you really think the illusion of freedom will make up for that sick game? That we'll be nice, docile pets now that you've shown you can twist our minds?

And now the idiots will run amok...

I miss the singing. Or maybe I simply don't want to know what's going to come next. Because of course there's going to be a 'next'. It's practically useless to hope otherwise.

Are we absolutely certain this isn't just an elaborate experiment to see exactly how long it takes to drive a large group of people collectively insane?

Damn it. Damn it, damn it, damn it. She'd better be safe.

Well, well. From the sounds of things, someone's playing an interesting game...

I can't help but wonder what the purpose is.

I just had a tomato try to chew through my trousers. A tomato.

[There is a faint rustling of fabric.]

Hmm. It did a pretty good job, for something that's supposed to be dinner.

...I wonder if they can be trained?

I'm dreadfully bored. Would anyone like to play chess?

Or Cradle?

[There is the sound of clattering, as of objects being toppled over, and a short, sharp hiss.]

Damn it! It's not supposed to be this bad...

[There is a brief spate of muffled, pained swearing before the transmission cuts out.]