By now, John is burdened with some random purchases made by the reporter, who seems keen on adding to the load without taking much notice of Remy. Still, John turns the recorder off.

"If you're angry, we want to hear about it," he says sourly. "Mad about vampire existing? Mad the parade had to happen at all? Mad the parade's blocking up the street? Mad vampires ain't what they used to be? Quality reporting, this."