 Why do people keep asking Hank what he saw?
The head of the American Legion and the chief of police, who had escorted him on this trip from the square, didn't ask to go in with him. Carlisle had said his position was analogous to Columbus', to Vasco De Gama's, to Preshoff's when the Russian returned from the Moon—but more so. Which was not what he'd considered at all important on leaving Walter Reed Hospital early this morning; which was something he found distasteful, something he felt beneath them both. Once he could communicate this, the strangeness would disappear and the First One would again become good old Hank.
 Hank was dead for months. People want to know about the afterlife.
 Hank was dead for months. People want to know about the afterlife.  Hank was on the moon for months. People want to know what life was like there.  Hank was dead for months. People want to know which religion got it right.  Hank was out in space for months. People want to know what he saw on Mars.