Dead? Like dead dead?

[ Ray raises one eyebrow slowly as he chews his eggs, then when he realizes she is indeed serious both of them lift with enough alarm that he nearly drops his fork. ]

Oh, dukes, that's awful, I mean I... [ He shakes his head, hand curls a little toward himself, hovering at his throat. ] I can't even imagine, really. Back where I'm from there's been close calls every now an' then, sure, but that</i sounds like damn near the end of the damn world.