i ca n't even look him in the eye as i ask the question , but i have to ask it . his frown changed to a hard disappointed look . my head felt a little better because i had thrown up . should n't his tongue burst into flames or fall out for that ? this is n't a creature at all , i realized , hanging desperately to the ladder . `` he knows that you were a criminal defense lawyer ? '' `` hey how much longer before that oven timer goes off ? '' 