Another twist of guilt in Carlos's stomach: while he is here, Cecil is being tortured. Carlos is not yet able to compartmentalize as well as he could -- he's bothered by this. Carlos knows the Cecil from Night Vale can handle municipal re-education, but he doesn't know if this one can.

But Joan's mention of someone who has been an Avox makes something occur to Carlos.

"She said that Cecil would be a Tribute," says Carlos, assuming that Joan got her information from Penny's post, as well. "If Cecil goes into the Arena, dies, and then comes back -- will that undo an Avox procedure?"