So it’s tofu for our man John.
In retrospect, this might have just made people think that John was a vegan, but I think it’s reasonably clear that it’s the protein yield that counts. There’s a very complicated system I worked out in my head, as explained by Dr. Fulci much further down the line, about how Returners work in terms of food intake and energy; at this point in the series, though, all that matters is the fact that they need protein, and not that much of it, to survive.
In a perfect world, there would have been time to get into how the Returner phenomenon affects stock prices, especially commodities such as tofu, and also cuisine, as a segment of the dinner market suddenly puts more of a premium on texture than taste.
↓ Transcript
PAGE SEVEN: SIX PANELS
Ambiance: a bit of family unity restored...just a bit... and we see that JOHN really is what he seems. He's a decent man, who just happens to be...returned.
PANEL ONE:
JULIE is suspicious, staring.
JULIE
What's he eating?
PANEL TWO:
JOHN looks at the greyish lump of goo on his fork.
JOHN
Tofu.
PANEL THREE:
JANE is trying to explain in a reasonable-mommy voice. JULIE is still pretty freaked.
JANE
Your father ... needs ... different things now.
JOHN
Anything with a high protein yield, sweetie.
PANEL FOUR:
JULIE is ready to run if things go badly – but is taking a tentative step forward.
JULIE
Why is it so cold in here?
JOHN
Because I need to ... uh ...
JANE
Stay fresh. Like a carrot.
JOHN
What?
PANEL FIVE:
JULIE is still full of mistrust.
JULIE
He smells.
JOHN
I know.
PANEL SIX:
JOHN, ever hapless, makes a stumbling attempt to talk about controlling the smell, but JULIE leaves the room crying.
JOHN
I spray myself with air freshener, but...
JULIE
FREAK!
Ambiance: a bit of family unity restored...just a bit... and we see that JOHN really is what he seems. He's a decent man, who just happens to be...returned.
PANEL ONE:
JULIE is suspicious, staring.
JULIE
What's he eating?
PANEL TWO:
JOHN looks at the greyish lump of goo on his fork.
JOHN
Tofu.
PANEL THREE:
JANE is trying to explain in a reasonable-mommy voice. JULIE is still pretty freaked.
JANE
Your father ... needs ... different things now.
JOHN
Anything with a high protein yield, sweetie.
PANEL FOUR:
JULIE is ready to run if things go badly – but is taking a tentative step forward.
JULIE
Why is it so cold in here?
JOHN
Because I need to ... uh ...
JANE
Stay fresh. Like a carrot.
JOHN
What?
PANEL FIVE:
JULIE is still full of mistrust.
JULIE
He smells.
JOHN
I know.
PANEL SIX:
JOHN, ever hapless, makes a stumbling attempt to talk about controlling the smell, but JULIE leaves the room crying.
JOHN
I spray myself with air freshener, but...
JULIE
FREAK!
