"You haven't asked."
Stager immediately understood Dasha's sharp question. How could he not? "Ah, the drug stuff…" the grad student trailed off. "You...gotta do what you gotta do, right?"
"I doubt it's that simple."
"No, no, it is! I swear. I just…" Stager swallowed, doubting whether to tell him. "I sold…drugs…once…"
"Oh really?"
"Only during high school! I never did it again!" Stager insisted. "I get it though. It's a dog eat dog world no matter where you are."
"Do you?" Dasha asked. "I'm sure you understand that this isn't a normal drug. The effect of bringing a person to the dream world isn't inherently evil or good. It just is."
"It just is, huh?"
'Does it sound like an excuse to you? Or do you agree?' Dasha questioned. 'You and I were never close. I want to see the type of man you are. Do you genuinely believe in a dog eat dog world? Or…do you have doubts?'
