Gen hesitated, but he laughed softly. "I'd rather neither of us were kidnapped, of course. Can you imagine what would happen, if time was actually passing at home? I know many said it wasn't, but ..."

He smiled a little. "If time's standing still and no-one is missing us? You're here to help me figure out how to solve this train problem. It's in my own best interest if you're here with me."