Carver was not expecting to be yanked away from the wall, then suddenly and forcibly released while still off-balance. He stumbled sideways a few steps before deciding to just let himself slump to a sitting position on the floor. He crossed his legs and arms, glaring hatefully up at Finkelstein. 

The doctor stared open-mouthed at the Pumpkin King. “What do you mean, ‘him’? What-- What lies have these hoodlums [i]told[/i] you, that you’re defending their [i]criminal[/i] actions? I gave her exactly what she wanted! I gave her a better body so I wouldn’t forget she’s a girl!”

Jewel turned to face her husband, eyes flashing. “THAT’s why you designed--?! That is [i]not[/i] what she-- what he wanted. I would say you damn well know that, but that would require me to believe you have ever listened to a [i]word[/i] sh-- he said to you.” She scowled and stepped away from him, toward Carver. “And I am beginning to realize that has [i]never[/i] been the case.”

Carver blinked up at the hand offered him. [i]This[/i] was an unexpected turn of events. After a moment’s hesitation, he took it and let her help him stand. He then shuffled back over to continue leaning against the wall.

Meanwhile, Finkelstein was sputtering in a mix of shock and indignance at his wife’s betrayal. Such a thing was inconceivable! Of course she knew he couldn’t possible be in the wrong here-- He slowly brought himself to a stop and followed that thought a bit further. Actually, that’s right; sometimes she [i]couldn’t[/i] fathom when he was right. And it was usually because…

Finkelstein took a deep breath, and carefully changed his tone. “"Look... My dear... I understand the fairer sex is ruled by emotion, so it’s reasonable as to why you're not grasping the full context of the situation. Please step back and let the logical side of our brain handle this."

“LOGICAL?!” Jewel and Carver exclaimed simultaneously. Jewel’s outburst was harsh, full of offense and anger. The pumpkin creature, on the other hand, had to grip onto the wall to keep himself from falling over laughing.