[Look, Fiddleford McGucket has had stare-downs with a mirror and won. Multiple times. Do not underestimate how long he can keep this up.

The blank, unreadable stare breaks when the Skrelp pokes her nose onto camera. McGucket blinks, then scratches his beard with a frown.]

I don't remember that critter at all.

[This is upsetting. McGucket's thoughtful frown droops into a sad one.]

Aw haystacks, it ain't coming back this time. Maybe I wasn't in this recording after all.

[He shakes his head, even sadder, shutting his eyes. He's so morose that the very hat on his head seems to slump.]

Or maybe that memory's just too far gone to get back.

[It's true that the sight of the author with a pet creature Fiddleford doesn't recognize is stirring up a vague, targetless sense of dread. Maybe this memory is so bad he double-erased it. Is that a thing? Could he have done that? Does he want to see the rest of this tape...?

McGucket lets out a heavy sigh, then perks up irrepressibly.]

Oh well! Whenever this was made, at least he wasn't going hungry! I can't tell if that's a plant or an animal, so it probably tastes like both!

[It's like getting two food groups at once!]