Perhaps it was disorientation at being tugged out of whatever world he'd been used to. Or perhaps he was just talking to some authority figure he figured could see him. (Not a bad thought--there had to be some way of monitoring all these people, unless the force around was truly enough.) Or maybe the bloke was just a bit touched in the head.

"Even if that were so, it can't be just your expense." Thanks a lot, Gabriel. Malcolm gave a short inner debate on whether he should give his name (his other name, the name they told him was his, but isn't). Instead, he shrugged. "Does what they call me here matter terribly much? Don't you think our so-called dream names might be more appropriate?"