"What do you want, Johnny?" asked Dahlia.
"Ah, but it's not about what I want," said Johnny. "I understand you're worried. But these are difficult times. You have a lot to do."
"If this is a kidnapping, then what are your demands?" asked Donald.
"It's not that kind of a kidnapping," said Johnny. "I wouldn't presume to demand anything. I just need to hold on to her for a while."
"What?" shouted Donald. "You can't have her!"
"Just for a while."
"What are you talking about? Who do you think you are?"
"I'm nobody. I'm in a room full of players right now, but I'm not one of them."
"This is kidnapping. This is a felony."
"Chill out, Jesus. The world is going to hell, anyway. It's all collapsing. We're just hanging on to it white-knuckled."
Johnny smiled during Donald's hesitation. He knew. On some level, Donald knew. He just wasn't ready to admit it yet.
"You don't know any such thing," he retorted. "No one knows what tomorrow will bring. I want her back today."
"Well, you know what..."
"Here it comes," said Dahlia.
"Before I can give you Sarah, I need something."
"So much for not having any demands," said Dahlia.
"It's not a demand. It's a need."
"Well, what is it?" asked Donald.
"Actually, it's two things," he continued. Dahlia sighed.
"A book. And a sword."
Object: a sword