[ At first, he'd taken the strange cough as something that spread through the dingy jail cells so many people were packed into. But it's clear that it's something that goes beyond that—some reoccurring malfeasance here to make their lives more difficult, again.

He tries not to be too concerned, but he knows the dangers of a plague, and the lighthearted dismissal from their latest "informant" is not encouraging. Is she saying that they should spend their final days with their loved ones...? Is she just messing with them? Either way, he sighs, only lightly despairing. Just two guys, pouting at their total lack of progress. ]

If it's all the same to you, I'd rather not take her word for it.

[ Please. ]

I've heard there are tonics that can help ease the symptoms, but I do not know that they are a cure. Or even very effective. [ ... ] It seems we haven't learned much at all here.