"Y'know, I've got no idea." Dan stands up and straightens his shoulders, then loosely folds his arms as Oscar goes bounding away in search of his ball. He taps his fingers against his elbows.

"Had a dog jus' like 'im back home. Rex. He didn't like hats 'cuz 'e didn't like rats, an' 'hats' was just too close to bein' the same word." Look, he knows it doesn't make any sense, but that's just how it is.

Oscar comes running back and drops the ball at Coraline's feet, wagging his tail.

"Guess it carried over, or somethin'."