"Cow is cow. Believe me, that one's still edible, even if it's stinky." Howard finally gives up getting to the microscope and pokes at a petri dish instead. "I have cows in the city, you know. Or at least, until the Chancellor wakes up again."

He squints at the dish. "I bet there's antibacterial stuff around here somewhere, though. We know Stacy filters viruses and stuff out, so our immune systems would be shot if anything contaminated the food. There's probably a filter in the chute."

The tentacles return to the ceiling and reach down to grope the tops of their heads. Apparently they aren't quite done feeling them up - or are trying to hold them in a specific place for something to come get them.