"I fully support your decision on the waxing process," Balthazar says dryly, and carefully retrieves a paper coffee cup to put the hairs in for safekeeping. "But I am curious why he yanks hairs out of your head so routinely."

He sets the cup on the counter and moves off to a shelf in the corner, pulling out first one cardboard storage box, then another, and rifling through the contents. Tracking Dave's world should be easier with a ritual, and that will require some supplies.