( w h a t. Serra looks absolutely horrified and she covers her mouth. What would possess a person to do something like that? )

Oh, ooooh! Listen to me. ( Coming over to take the poor girl's hands reassuringly into her own. ) I'm sure your friend is fine a-and, I'll have you know, I"m a very important person with very powerful friends so when they realize I'm missing, they'll come to save me and we'll find your friend. They wouldn't object to it, I'm sure.

But what about you? Are you going to be fine? You should lie down and rest some or. . .