but that jake ... that version of him , he was long gone - crushed and defeated and hidden away after a lifetime of victory-less war . it still felt weird to call somebody that . this is the best solution you could come up with ? `` how are the kids , in your classes ? '' we were in the conference room and seated before white showed up so we just waited . a field of arches stands in a clearing . people have gas wells in their yards , too , and on their farms . '' 