[ john gets the feeling he's being watched even without noticing the sand. imagination is not his best area, but he wouldn't expect someone like set to make an entrance like a normal person. why waste the opportunity to observe? john wouldn't. ]

I was a hell of a scientist once. [ no point in being modest. ] It jumps out occasionally, I suppose.

[ the bleeding wound he'd been drawing the blood from seals itself up easily, and the excess blood on his hands turns to dust and falls away like it was never there. ]

It's fine to come down; I'm finished with these anyway. It's probably overkill, but we're only getting one shot at this, and I feel better knowing I've done everything to tip the odds in our favour of finding everything we want to see.