I can't keep him from facing the consequences of his every action. Even if I could - [ a shrug, weighed down by the leads over his shoulders ] - I'm not the one intent on being ashamed of myself.

Dare I ask after 'the new guy'? [ Lestat trips the new phrase off his tongue with precise, curious inflection, feeling it out. ] One Mr. J. Harker, perhaps? A Van Helsing? A particularly devout priest? Another of the seemingly endless tides of lawful authorities besieging us? I would like to know what novel and fascinating calamity he's invited upon us with witnesses.