A Thin Disguise

 Episode Name:  A Thin Disguise

   Written By:  Grey

         Cast:  Goodwin, Grey, Jatila, K'net-mauri, Strell and Torin.

  Produced By:  Starfleet

  Directed By:  Grey

     Aired On:  Fri Jul 15 01:22:00 2005

     Stardate:  55115.6

Time: Thu Jul 14 19:26:16 2005

Stardate: 55115.0

The Synapse Gallery has been closed now for several months, recovering from the damage wrought by the Lithians in their invasion attempt. Several pieces of art were destroyed; others seriously damaged, but now, what was able to be salvaged has been, for the most part, put back on display.

Strell, the Vulcan proprietor of the Gallery, circulates about the area, straightening already straight frames and making sure everything is perfect with the unwithering eye of his people for exacting detail.

Jatila watches him with a straight face, arms crossed over her chest. "Is that the third or the fourth time you've restraightened the sisters, ashau?"

Goodwin is making the most of his down-shift day, making the rounds through the Station mall. This shop, newly open once more, perhaps catches the Second Officer's eye and he ducks in, looking around.

Torin hunches as he ducks inside faintly. His head turns a bit looking from here to there. He looks faintly relieved to find only a small crowd inside as he glances around the area thoughtfully looking for Strell. A faint smile touching his lips as he looks at a few of the art pieces.

. o O Jatila is amused and excited all at the same time.

"Fourth. It was not level," Strell replies to Jatila as he raises a brow. "I do not believe it can be corrected -- my repairs to the frame were insufficient to maintain proper balance; as such, it will continually develop a slight tilt toward the outer hull, varying between zero-point-zero five and zero-point-one percent."

Jatila stares at Strell for a long moment, her eyes twinkling merrily. "Very well," she inclines her head. "Tomorrow you can better the repairs, neh?" She stands beside the welcoming desk, clad in a sparkling new outfit for the occasion, one that swishes nicely as she turns upon the doors' opening. "Ah, Commander!"

"Ajutant Jatila," says Goodwin with a bow of his head towards the Romulan woman in front of him. "My, are we moonlighting on the side, perhaps? What would the Ambassador think?" He's far more casual than she is, and looks slightly chagrined at the difference.

GAME: Strell spends a courage point.

GAME: Strell contests his Intellect/Perception+A vs Moderate and Fails.

Speak of the devil. The Ambassador appears in the doorway a few instants later.

Torin takes a few moments to make his way towards the small group. He wets his lips faintly and then clears his throat offering to Strell, "Ah Mister Strell. Hope I'm not interrupting. Just heard you talking about repairs, if you're ever having any trouble with any of the equipment and things. I've been offering to the other business owners, if there's minor or even some bigger repair or malfunctions and things. If you need any help let me know. I know sometimes it takes a bit for Station engineering to get down to the promenade." He offers quietly.

Strell tilts his head to the side as he continues to consider both 'Sisters' paintings -- "Two Sisters Under Elvreng" and "Two Sisters Under Pirek" -- very carefully. After a moment of further consideration, he arches a brow and turns to Torin. "Are you trained in artistic restoration and repair?" he asks. "Or, perhaps, woodworking?"

Jatila laughs and starts to answer the Starfleet officer. "There is no reason I wouldn't be here to support my-" And then another good-natured laugh, as she gestures gracefully toward her superior. "Well, why don't you ask him yourself, Commander?"

. o O Strell thinks, "An oddity."

Goodwin chuckles slightly and turns his head. "Ah, yes. Mister Ambassador," greets Goodwin with a bow of his head to K'net-mauri. "It's a pleasure to see you, of course. I only noticed this on my walk through the mall. I did not realize it was a more formal occasion."

K'net-mauri looks around. He nods to Goodwin. "Jolan'tru," he says. "I don't know that it is formal."

Torin chuckles weakly and smiles at Strell, "Unfortunately I can't say that I am. Mostly metals, and mechanical, not so much art skills. Granted woodworking might not be a bad hobby." He admits with a quiet shrug, "Maybe I can find some holotutorials about art restoration and repair." He tilts his head and offers a quiet nod of his head and a smile at the Ambassador as well.

"It's not formal," Jatila confirms, leaning slightly on the desk. "But it is, most definitely, an occasion."

"I am not in need of your services at this time," Strell replies to Torin, his brow still lifted. "However, if I have need of someone skilled in metalwork or mechanical objects in the future, your name will be kept in consideration." His gaze shifts toward the door, then back to the man he speaks with. "Thank you for your offer."

GAME: Torin contests his Intellect/Perception vs Moderate and Succeeds.

Goodwin nods his head. "Indeed," agrees Goodwin. "It is good to see the Station is recovering after the attack and perhaps there may be normal life once more, or at least as normal as it can be."

K'net-mauri smiles wryly at Goodwin. "How normal is that, I wonder?"

Torin inclines his head at Strell and smiles, "Thank you, I did mean more with the systems, like lighting or security things or..." He pauses and then blinks at the picture a few more times and raises a hand towards something on the pictures face, "Out of curiosity, what was this made on? Is that part of the painting?" He asks curiously of Strell.

GAME: Strell contests his Artistic Expression/Painting+A vs Routine and Succeeds.

Jatila has to chuckle at the Ambassador's comment. "Please, Commander, feel free to enjoy the exhibit. Strell has done a truly superb job in restoring the art. And the pieces are a fine cross-section of that which our culture has to offer."

K'net-mauri nods, glancing around again. "I am impressed. Considering the damage, I am suprised, too."

Goodwin nods his head once. "Thank you, Ajutant," he says, as he makes his way further into the gallery, making his way towards the pictures and paintings by Strell. "You must be Mister Strell, then, I take it?" Goodwin greets the gallery owner.

. o O Jatila thinks, "O Elements. Goodwin knows why we traveled to Vulcan. Please, please, don't let him mention it!"

Strell turns his attention back to the paintings. "These particular pieces are watercolor on canvas," he replies to Torin before leaning in closer. "I assume you refer to the cracks in the paint, and... no, they are not part of the image -- nor should they be present. Computer, please verify that temperature and humidity settings in this section have not deviated from optimal settings." As Goodwin arrives, he offers a nod. "You are correct."

GAME: Goodwin contests his Intellect/Perception vs Routine and Succeeds.

Torin blinks at Strell's comment and draws his hand back quickly, not that it was very close to it. He peers at the painting and offes a quiet, "Oh dear. I hope it's alright." He says then tilting his head to listen to the computer expectantly.

Computer chirps and replies, "The temperature and humidity settings have not deviated from optimal settings."

"I see them, too," remarks Goodwin, noting the cracks the painting. "Hmm. That's troubling. Could it have been damaged in the attack itself?" he wonders, looking to Strell. "Somehow?"

Jatila turns to observe the three younger men, an eyebrow arching at the little gathering and... cracks? Her reply to the Ambassador is somewhat absent as a result. "A lot of hard work goes a long way. And, of course, it helps that Strell is a genius when it comes to art." Not that she's biased or anything.

. o O Jatila thinks, "Oh no. Not after all his work."

K'net-mauri smiles wryly at Jatila. "It would appear I'll not get hammered."

"The Lithians were not subtle in their attack. What they targeted was destroyed or severely damaged," Strell replies to Goodwin as he turns his attention back to the painting. "While it is not impossible that I missed the damage to the image during my cataloging and restoration process, it is highly unlikely. I would contend that this is more recent."

K'net-mauri looks over at the painting in question, and moves to join Strell in closer examination of it.

Torin offers quietly, "Perhaps, the computer is incorrect? The Lithians may not have damaged it directly, but they did plenty of damage to the station's systems."

"No ale here," Jat quips to the Ambassador, but her brow is furrowing, and she moves to follow him.

"Perhaps it might be helpful to examine it deeper?" asks Goodwin. "Perhaps with a tricorder, or well, something else?" He peers at the picture, then at the gallery owner. "I assume this can be restored, however?"

K'net-mauri smiles vaguely at Jatila. "Recently?" he asks Strell as he inspects the painting.

Strell straightens up and heads for the counter -- kneeling to retrieve a Vulcan tricorder from under the counter. "It is impossible to ascertain without a closer inspection," he replies to Goodwin's question. "The damage does not appear to be severe, but it could be symptomatic of an underlying condition which I did not observe earlier."

Jatila leans forward slightly, frowning, to get a good look at the painting herself. "Strell, there is no way you could have missed that during the restoration. It /must/ be recent."

Torin continues to study the picture and scratches his chin and offers, "Well let me know if I can do anything to help." He offers not having a tricorder and such things he just continues to peer at it.

Goodwin nods his head. "Could it be the painting itself is simply, well, undergoing wear and tear of some sort?" Josh really has no idea about paintings, but he can spin his wheels.

. o O Jatila thinks, "What is utterly embarrassing is that a /Starfleet cadet/, of all people, noticed it."

"The question is, what has been in here to damage it again since its restoration?" says K'net-mauri. He looks at Goodwin, "I am no expert, but what wear could it suffer? Aside from fading from the light?"

GAME: Strell spends a courage point.

GAME: Strell contests his Personal Equipment/Tricorder+A vs Moderate and Succeeds.

Strell returns with the tricorder, running it over the display. "There has been no one in contact with the artwork since the invasion that I have not accompanied, unless it occurred while I was still in the infirmary," he notes before his gaze turns to the results on the screen.

K'net-mauri nods to Strell. "So I thought. The cat?"

Torin takes his attention from the picture to Strell now looking curious to see what the tricorder turns up.

Jatila moves to the Vulcan's side, glancing back and forth between the painting and the tricorder. The Ambassador's comment brings up an alarmed expression on her part, before she shakes her head. "I don't know how Ambush could have had /that/ effect."

K'net-mauri shrugs at Jatila. "Nor have I," he says.

Strell raises an eyebrow as he glances up from the tricorder. "Ambush has been housed on Deck 15 for quite some time. As for the painting itself, the canvas was not properly primed before the image was painted. Furthermore, the chemical composition of the paint does not conform to standard Romulan paints."

GAME: Strell contests his Personal Equipment/Tricorder+A vs Challenging and Succeeds.

K'net-mauri lifts a brow at Strell. "That is perculiar. You are saying this is a forgery?"

Torin blinks, "Don't artists usually use non-standard things? Cuz they're... artists and things?" He offers rubbing his chin looking blank.

Goodwin turns his head, watching the conversation going on back and forth. "Who is this painting done by?" wonders the second officer, regarding the canvas.

Jatila /blinks/, turning her head to look at Strell. Her gaze briefly flicks toward Torin, then back.

Strell scans the paintings again, coolly considering the display's readouts as he manipulates the data again. "It is rare to create a painting that the artist would wish to have naturally decompose," he remarks to Torin. "This particular set of colors originated on Der'hoth, a Federation world near the Bajor sector. I base this analysis upon the high concentrations of tertanium within the pigments; tertanium is only found on Der'hoth." He pauses, then hands his tricorder over to Torin. "If you could conduct an independent analysis to confirm the readings?"

K'net-mauri frowns. "That is most strange."

. o O Jatila thinks, "You aren't just whistling a quaint regional ditty, sir."

Jatila's lips purse, her gaze turning to the painting. "Strell. Did D'tan paint this, or no? Is that his-" she flaps a hand, looking for the right words, "His style. His technique."

GAME: Torin contests his Personal Equipment vs Moderate and Marginally Succeeds.

"Many often attempt to copy a technique or style to receive fame similar to that of a celebrated artist," points out Goodwin. "Or, we cannot rule out parallel development."

K'net-mauri sighs. "I suppose we could send a message to D'tan and ask him," he says.

Strell folds his hands behind his back. "Or a forgery, meant to cover the theft of an authentic work of art," he points out softly. "As for stylistic techniques, it is similar to D'tan, but the Commander is correct in pointing out that a very good approximation could be made by other artists."

K'net-mauri nods to Strell. "More likely," he says.

Torin blinks and nods to Strell quietly listening. He looks thoughtful and nods, "If you say, I will of course be glad to confirm." He offers as he takes the tricorder shifting it in his hand for a moment and moving a few steps over to begin scanning the painting he nods quietly, "Indeed, it certainly appears unprimed. The paint is...well the best I can say is odd. Though I'm no expert. Let me see if I can't let the computer agree with what you said." He offers making for a terminal.

GAME: Torin contests his Computer/Research vs Challenging and Marginally Fails.

Jatila is silent for a moment. "Well. Certainly not what we expected tonight." Her eyes follow the young human.

"Might it be possible to get an approximate date of painting of this item?" murmurs Goodwin, gesturing towards the item on the wall. "That is to say, we can see if it was made before or after D'tan's time?"

K'net-mauri looks at Goodwin. "It is contemporary. D'tan is alive."

Torin frowns at the computer and grumbles, "Come on, buckety bolts." He complains at the computer terminal offering to the group, "One moment... Looked in the wrong place." He frowns, apparantly it's been awhile since he's done this kind of thing. He grumbles, "Should have asked Jenell."

GAME: Torin spends a courage point.

GAME: Torin contests his Computer/Research+A vs Challenging and Succeeds.

"Perhaps, as soon as Mister Torin has completed his use of the tricorder," Strell replies. "Leaving the canvas unprimed indicates that whoever created this forgery was not, by trade, an artist."

Jatila turns to ponder the painting, and moves to examine its twin without touching it.

"Or simply forgot," points out Goodwin. "But yeah, I'd say that's a lot more likely, the not being an artist."

"It seems an unlikely thing for an artist to forget," says K'net-mauri.

Torin reads quietly and looks sheepish as he returns holding out the tricorder to the group at large, "Ah. Yes as Mister Strell said, the mineral tertanium, only found in plants on Der'hoth. My apologies for the delay."

Strell lifts a brow. "failure to prime a canvas ensures that, eventually, the painting will decay. Forgetting the primer is not out of the question, but it is a mistake expected of a novice, not a professional." He accepts the tricorder to scan the painting again. "Perhaps it was only meant to provide a temporary distraction."

GAME: Jatila contests her Intellect/Perception vs Routine and Succeeds.

K'net-mauri smiles. "I doubt it. The Institute of Art and Culture would be unlikely to purchase paintings that cannot be archived. If they did, they'd make note of it."

Goodwin nods his head once. "Do we know if this is the same painting that was originally in the gallery, or is there some way to tell?" he wonders out loud.

Jatila lifts an eyebrow, taking a step back from the other painting. "Two temporary distractions. Strell."

Strell glances at the opposite painting. "It is displaying the signs of damage?" he asks Jatila as he continues his scan.

GAME: Strell contests his Personal Equipment/Tricorder+A vs Routine and Succeeds.

Torin blinks at this and just listens to the group rubbing his chin.

Jatila nods once, moving out of the tricorder's sweep. "Yes. Which would make it most unlikely that the lack of primer was a moment's forgetfulness."

K'net-mauri looks at Strell thoughtfully.

"This was painted sometime between 2371 and 2374," Strell remarks after considering the readings. "However, the information I have on file indicates that it was painted in 2321."

Torin blinks at that, "So then it is certainly a forgery? Or perhaps... could the time.... alterations, have caused some sort of trouble?"

K'net-mauri frowns. "I cannot imagine how the time alterations would induce this particular change."

Goodwin seems curious. "I can't see how, though it's possible," says Goodwin. "I would think that if everything on the station remained the same, this should be included, unless his entire life is different somehow."

Strell nods in agreement with K'net-mauri and Goodwin. "I concur. The anchoring effect provided by the Anomaly would have kept this piece in the same condition in which it arrived aboard."

Jatila nods at Strell's words, pondering the erstwile paintings.

. o O Strell thinks, "Fascinating."

Torin pauses as he glances along the group and shrugs, "Maybe." He hrmms and studies the painting once more.

. o O Torin thinks, "I'm not convinced, I've certainly seen stranger things happen."

K'net-mauri lifts a brow at Torin.

Strell folds his hands. "For the moment, it may be worthwhile to examine all the paintings in the gallery," he offers softly. "To determine if any of the others are forgeries, then report the theft to the Institute of Art and Culture."

"So, I suppose the question is how these items got here and where the actual piece went, if, in fact, there was a change," murmurs Goodwin. "But yes."

Jatila looks toward her superior. "Which begs the question of where the real paintings are." Her gaze flicks to Goodwin. "These items are probably the very ones the Ambassador had brought here. The... exchange probably happened back on Romulus."

Torin doesn't appear to be a master of who dun it things. He just furrows his brows and then glances towards, Strell, "Do you have old scans of the items. If you do we might be able to look for any small details that were changed to make sure it was definitely stolen or switched back then?"

"I did take initial scans upon arrival," Strell replies. "However, I do not know if they were damaged in the attack."

"It would at least be a place to begin," suggests Goodwin with a nod of his head. "For some sort of comparison."

Strell nods in agreement, turning toward the computer terminal at the counter. "Mister Torin, will you assist me with the recovery of the files?"

Jatila nods, giving Goodwin an approving smile, albeit a grim one.

K'net-mauri looks at Jatila for a long silent moment, then nods. "Perhaps. It is most puzzling. As I understand it, these paintings have not been displayed in years."

Torin nods and smiles, "Can't hurt to look." He nods, "Certainly, I'd be glad to. At worst, we can ask Jenell. She'll probably be glad to help. And if anyone can figure out archived data it's her." He says with a wide smile, as he goes to the terminal with Strell.

Strell pulls up the appropriate directory on the terminal, then nods to Torin. "You have been provided with full access to the records that I have." He then steps aside, apparently deferring.

GAME: Torin contests his Computer/Research+A vs Challenging and Succeeds.

Jatila lifts an eyebrow inquiringly. "Jenell?" She turns her head to meet K'net-mauri's gaze, thoughtful. "These would probably have remained in storage then, if they hadn't been brought here."

Goodwin nods his head. "Where it would be difficult for anyone to notice the forgery except on close inspection, which items in storage would not receive."

. o O Jatila thinks, "Now what was that look for, dear mentor?"

K'net-mauri nods to Jatila. "That is correct," he says.

Torin glances towards Jatila and nods, "Ensign Artz. She's the station Research Archivist." He says and smiles again as he nods to Strell, "Thank you sir, I've got them up here, ah hmm a hmm. Okay here I've got the original scans. Let me seee." He begins scrolling things along the screen quietly watching trying to make heads or tails of the information it seems.

Strell folds his hands behind his back as he waits for Torin's analysis. "In the meantime, may I offer you refreshments?"

"Some tea, if you have it, might be nice," Goodwin allows, giving into the temptation of refreshments, leading him away from the Promise of Mystery.

Jatila ahs at Torin's explanation. "Tea. Of course. Ambassador?" She heads for the replicator, asiding to Strell, "Are you going to check the other pieces?"

K'net-mauri nods to Strell, "That would be pleasant," he says. A smile at Jatila. "Tea."

"I had thought that I would wait," Strell replies to Jatila as she passes. "There is a possibility that Mister Torin will require the tricorder again."

Torin pauses and eventually hrmms, "This says the scans weren't accurate but they did show up the anomaly of the mineral. The records don't say why it was overlooked though. Mister Strell do you know who might have done the scans, and why they would have overlooked something like that? Something seems....off." He admits.

Jatila nods to her husband, fussing and bustling about with the replicator. Eventually she moves back toward the desk to set a pair of trays there- one laden with hors d'ourves, one with various cups of tea, which she begins to hands out. Earl grey for Goodwin. Theris for Strell and the Ambassador. Jumja for herself.

Strell raises a brow. "I scanned the works for physical damage to ensure that they arrived intact," he replies to Torin. "It did not occur to me at the time to analyze them for authenticity, as they were not going to be placed on the market for sale." His lips thin out a bit, but that's the only real reaction he makes.

. o O Strell thinks, "I was not fastidious enough in my work."

. o O Strell has a very brief spark of irritation that he brings back under control almost instantly.

Torin nods, "Well, from this, it seems that the paintings that came here were fakes. But still there should have been... more anomalies I think." He frowns, "Strange." He rubs his chin, "Are there records from where it was kept before, Ambassador?"

Goodwin seems curious, turning his head amongst those around here. He takes his tea with a nod of thanks, sipping from it.

K'net-mauri nods to Torin. "Of course," he says. "It was in the storage warehouse belonging to the Institute of Art and Culture, on Romulus."

Strell takes a sip from his tea before retrieving the tricorder from the desk and starting a circuit around the room, scanning each piece.

Jatila says reluctantly, "The other pieces should be checked. They are, after all, from the same location, for the most part."

Jatila pauses, sends a bemused look after Strell. Great minds, etc.

K'net-mauri nods. "I would be interested to see the result."

Torin nods, "Perhaps, you could request from them, their records and we could compare them. Something may have happened in transit or before. Do you know how they acquired them and when, sir?" He asks curiousl, then looks to Strell to await results as well.

K'net-mauri lifts a brow at Torin. "Who?"

Jatila sends a bemused look toward Torin. "From the Institute?" She laughs.

GAME: Strell has the merit of Curious at 1.

"I would imagine that the question is where the Institute got them from," points out Goodwin, his only real addition to this.

GAME: Strell contests his Personal Equipment/Tricorder+A vs Moderate and Succeeds.

"From the artist, presumably," K'net-mauri tells Goodwin.

GAME: Strell contests his Personal Equipment/Tricorder+A vs Moderate and Succeeds.

Strell makes his way about halfway around the room, giving each piece a complete scan before moving on. This process is conducted in silence, eyes on the tricorder the whole time.

Torin pauses at Jatila's comment and the Ambassadors. He furrows his brow before a faint thought seems to strike him, and he looks sheepish.

Jatila leans back against the desk, watching Strell. "The Institute will be in an uproar as it is over this. It's only through the Ambassador's excellent verbiage that the Gallery was permitted to exhibit these pieces as it is."

K'net-mauri laughs softly, "That was it, was it?" he seems amused. "I'm sure I can manage to quiet them. But I should like to know what happened to D'tan's paintings."

K'net-mauri adds, "Though unless you have further questions, I think I shall leave you to your investigations."

Strell finishes his circuit of the room, still silent until after he puts the tricorder away. "There are no other works that display anomalous signatures," he reports quietly. "They all appear to be, so far as I can tell, genuine."

Torin pauses, "Was there something different about these two or are they more valuable that they would be different and not the others." He offers a smile at K'net, "Good evening Ambassador." Then glances to Jatila looking thoughtful.

. o O Torin thinks, "We could probably just pluck it from their systems."

Jatila looks toward her mentor with a faint smile. "Jolan'tru, sir."

Goodwin nods his head once. "Good evening, Mister Ambassador," he tells the Romulan gentleman, before then turning back towards the ones working on the painting problem.

Strell nods to K'net-mauri as well. "Good evening, Ambassador." He pauses, then adds, "Thank you for attending."

K'net-mauri looks at Torin, "They are not more valuable. With the exception of the Kerosh, none of these works are of much significance. Which is why my verbiage was effective in obtaining them." He smiles, then nods. "Jolan'tru. And good evening to you all." And that said, he heads out.

K'net-mauri passes through the sliding double doors and into the mall.

K'net-mauri has left.

Jatila reaches to snag something green off the snack tray, thoughtfully munching as she straightens to approach the sisters paintings again. "Why these two?" she murmurs.

Strell folds his hands behind his back. "I do not know," he replies softly. "But it is my intention to learn, if it is possible."

Torin inclines his head, "Well. Let me know how I can help. And if you need help with computers and research and things I can ask Jenell. She's amazing at that stuff."

Goodwin shakes his head. "Indeed," he agrees. "Also, Station Security should at least be advised, even if this isn't going to be them leading the investigation," he notes.

Jatila does not look terribly surprised at Strell's answer. She turns to offer young Torin a slow smile. "Your offer, and your assistance tonight, are quite appreciated." Gaze flicks to Goodwin. "Why?"

"There was no crime committed here," Strell adds on top of Jatila's question.

Torin inclines his head and smiles at Jatila, "I'm glad." He says and glances about for a moment, looking faintly at odds seeming to consider an exit.

"If there are going to be foreign investigative services involved, they should at least be given a heads up to expect them," explains Goodwin. "But, in any event, thank you for sharing this, well, interesting night with me."

Jatila chuckles quietly. "Foreign investigative... Rest assured, we are not going to pass this revelation on to the Institute until we have answers as well as questions. I really do not wish to field their screaming rant."

Strell nods to Goodwin. "Thank you for attending," he replies softly.

Torin offers a quiet, "Have a good night." He offers and decides it's time to exit stage left.

"Jolan'tru, Mister Torin," Jat offers amiably, reaching for another hor's dourve. She glances toward Strell, then goes to make a whole pot of tea. It's going to be a long night.

Two paintings of little value replaced with forgeries. But who would steal them? Why? The answers won't be found on Station 419-U -- but rather rest elsewhere, with whomever -- or whatever -- stole the paintings.

Of course, they didn't figure on attracting the attention of a Romulan diplomatic delgation and a Vulcan artist.

With these thoughts in mind, Strell looks toward Jatila. "Perhaps," he suggests, as if he can read her mind, "You should make two pots."