We can ask. Whether they'll tell us or tell us the truth is a different story.

[He frowns and sluices the water out of his eyes and down his cheeks.]

I wouldn't be surprised if you're right about that. Letting us get too cozy would also risk having some of us do something about what has been done to us. I'm not too eager for much boat rocking yet, not before I get the lay of the waves, so to speak.