My girlfriend Gretchen is smart. She could persuade him. Or we could run away together! But... oh no...

"Et tu, Gretchen"?

I did not expect this. Gretchen loves the idea of climbing into a volcano! She wishes she could come too! She envies me for going, and would lose all respect for me if I was a coward.

So these are my choices: follow my mad uncle. Or leave and lose Gretchen. I wish I could think of something else. Are there any other choices?