But what about Erica's script?

The four companions met again in the off-campus diner. Andrew was visibly relieved when he heard about the result of Madison's research.

"So we just have to, what, blast it with nitrogen?" he asked. "And then we'll know what it does?"

"Easier said than done," Erica said. "We don't know how long and in what quantities it will need to be exposed. It could require a very specific concentration found only in my soil."

"It'd be easiest if you would just tell us," Ross grumbled.

"I don't have anything to say about it," Erica said apologetically. "But I think we're on the right track."

"Golems follow their script," Madison reminded her boyfriend. "It's not a question of whether Erica 'wants' to tell us. Her script tells her not to, so she won't. Don't forget that golems always follow the script."

Andrew waved his hand dismissively. "Yeah, we know. Look, I say we get ahold of some nitrogen and just spray the fucking thing down. If that doesn't work we'll keep trying."

"We could use whippets," Madison suggested. "You know, those little nitrous canisters they use for whipped cream and getting fucked up."

"Good idea, babe," Ross said and Madison kissed his cheek gratefully.

"Christ, you're embarrassing," Andrew said with a glare. "Where can we get some whippets?"

"Most kitchen goods stores carry that kind of thing," Erica said helpfully. "There's one a few blocks from here."

The group made their plans; Ross would get the whippets and they would regroup at his apartment that evening. As they filed out of the diner, Erica pulled him aside.

"Has Madison been acting strangely today?" she asked him.

Ross was completely taken aback. "No, why?"

Erica glanced through the door at the sophomore, who was strolling away from the diner. "She's... I don't know. She seems different, somehow. Be careful around her."

"I thought we were supposed to be careful around you," he complained. "How do we know you're not sabotaging all of this as part of your weird nitrogen thing?"

"You know I don't have anything to say about that," Erica said impatiently. "Just... be careful, ok?"

"Fine," he said. "I'll keep an eye on her. But you'd better not be fucking with me."

"I can assure you," she said cryptically, "if someone is fucking with you, it's not me. Now go buy those whippets."