For the first time in the conversation, Rob looked somewhat distressed by what he was hearing. Something about the idea of the dead as statues instead of merely corpses struck a nerve for reasons he didn't immediately understand and he felt a sudden, urgent need to change the topic.

"Well, uh," he shifted uncomfortably, "like I was saying, um, how does getting food, clothing, and, uh, shelter work around here? You guys have trouble with supplies a lot or're you, uh, usually okay?"