“If I got a report card with all F’s, I wouldn’t put it on a wall,” Wyatt told Tom. “I also wouldn’t show it off to everyone and get people to talk to other people about it.”

Tom forced a laugh. “This isn’t the same as a report card. I mean, take away their money and power, and who cares about Reuben Lloyd or Sigurdur Vitol or . . .”

“But no one’s taking away their money or power,” Wyatt pointed out. “Everyone here cares about them.”

“I believe you are being in denial,” Yuri told him. “This is no good for you, Thomas.”

Tom’s eyes flipped up to Yuri’s. He was so tempted to say who denial brought to mind.

Vik didn’t have his self-restraint. “If you want to talk denial, then let’s look at—”

“Wyatt,” Tom cut in. None of them talked to Yuri about his hopeless plight as the eternal plebe, and it wasn’t the time right now.

Wyatt grew anxious. “What about me? Why am I in denial?”

“Because. Because . . .” Tom fumbled a moment for a sufficiently distracting excuse. “Uh, you’re from Connecticut, so you think Connecticut is an okay state. But it’s not. It sucks. You know why? Because Snowden’s from Connecticut. Therefore, Connecticut sucks.”

Wyatt got very distressed over Tom’s impugning her state. So distressed, in fact, that joy filled Vik’s face. “Bless you, Tom, for handing me this glorious new weapon.”

“Shut up, Vik,” Wyatt said.

But Vik had already settled on Tom’s bed. He muttered, “Connecticut . . . Connecticut . . . What to do with Connecticut?”

“I am fully aware of how thoroughly done for I am here,” Tom informed Wyatt, bringing them back to the subject at hand. “There is no denial. It’s acceptance.”

“Not acceptance,” Vik said, paying attention again. “He is embracing it, Evil Wench. And that’s why you are awesome, Doctor. You are a hero and an inspiration to us all.”

Tom shrugged modestly. “I do what I can.”

“It’s easy for you to say!” Wyatt protested, turning on Vik. “You got invited back to all those companies.”

“Yes,” Yuri added. “You are quite eager to downplay this, but I have been noticing you are not experiencing this issue yourself.”

“Tom has every right to feel depressed,” Wyatt insisted.

“Why would Tom be depressed?” Vik said, exasperated. “Yes, he had a setback, but it’s not like he woke up in Connecticut.”

There was a moment of silence as Wyatt processed his words, then her face grew very grave. “That’s how you’re using the Connecticut thing.”

“That’s how,” Vik confirmed.

“Don’t, Vik. It’s terrible.”

“Terrible? No, Enslow. You’re confusing Tom’s situation with living in Connecticut,” Vik said.

Wyatt hit his arm and stormed from the bunk.

Yuri sighed and patted Tom’s back. “Stay strong, my friend.”