After a long moment of silence, Mabon finally sighed and said, "You're not planning to give me a way out of this, Mr. Jesse. I've already provided a statement according to what I've seen. I believe you'll all be very happy with this statement.

"I've done everything I can, but now you're asking me to go to persuade the Thompsons? I don't think I can do that," Mabon said in a way that made him look powerless. "You can't force me to do the impossible."

Jesse said, "I know what you're thinking. Y