She's not buying it, is she?

Ah, well. In a few minutes it won't matter anyway.

Alex stops short again. She's pinned here, trapped, but if he strikes now she might retaliate. Nothing fights harder or fiercer than someone who's cornered.

He lets his eyes flicker shut, then open again, wide and unnerved. A subtle tremble enters his tone.

"Max?" he says, brokenly. "Max, I - what's - what's going on - ?"

If he can get her to drop her guard, just for a moment -

Well, a moment's all he'll need.