On the way back to the dam from the Blacktail area, Zahnrad encounters Parsley Chalk on the banks of the Mint River. The two talk, and Zahn mentions hearing strange sounds from underground. This prompts Parsley to tell him about strange things she's heard – like singing, and how she thinks Clover has started acting odd.

Zahn also asks if he can have some chalk to make into paste, and Parsley agrees to go get him some.

Back in his workshop, Zahn begins repairing the sound horn for Dr. Pike's voice-cylinder machine, and Parsley arrives with the chalk and to help out. When the chalk is split open, a lizard pops out and startles Zahn, but Parsley tosses it aside and explains that lizards, frogs and bugs turn up alive and trapped in the chalk all the time.

Parsley quizzes Zahn about the machine he's fixing, and asks him if one like it could be the source of the noises and singing she's heard. Zahn tells her it isn't likely. They talk a bit more about Clover's behavior, and what Parsley does in 'public relations', and also talk about Zahn's growing relationship with Amelia.

The two promise to share information about anything they find underground that could relate to Clover.