[He lets out a soft 'oof' at the elbow jab, chuckling softly.]

I'll take my chances. And sure, Rubes. Like pirates. Really soggy pirates who don't want to spend the night in knee-deep gross water.

[He can hear the bot before he sees it, raising his little test tube and waves his free hand.]

Hey! Hi- uh, can we hitch a ride on your boat we feel out of-

[Oh. Okay, never mind, because there's a couple of teenager townspeople who are absolutely using the ride of its intended purpose, suddenly jumping apart like they've been electrocuted. Varian clears his throat awkwardly. Well. This is embarrassing.]

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhh. That's what this ride for.