[ Tim waits until Alan is settled again before standing. He walks over, takes a seat to the side of the author. He sighs lightly and shakes his head. ]

Maybe you should answer the question as to why you're here. With us. [ His eyebrows raise. ] Beth would know faster than any of us... but I can tell you're not the Alan Wake that we all know. You're here in his body, I guess, but you're not him. Too many small things add up.

Like holding Beth's hand for one. I haven't seen Alan do that in... geez, a year? Maybe longer.

[ Tim sighs. ] Look, Alan. I'm guessing that's the name you go by. I'm not sure what caused all their problems. Beth would say it started with this new book. I think it started back with his last book. It didn't go well. It sold good, but feedback was all over the place from what Rose said. He probably felt pressured for the last five or so years to get a sequel out everyone is going to accept.

Plus, the Casey books were made into movies. I know that put a strain on things. They had a Christmas party during production of one of the movies, and Barry was trying hard to get Alan to move to New York or Hollywood for it. Obviously, Alan said no every time, but... well. It's probably best to ask her about it.

[ Tim leans back and gestures to the door that Beth left through. ]

I'd say start by asking what happened to her ankle. She didn't have the limp yesterday.