"Time. No ... other time. Uh ... Earth?"
Headshake. He rose on tiptoe and pointed up again.
"Beyond Earth. The sun!"
Nod.
"You mean that at this time, it doesn't bother you. But it will later, when you need the scales for absorbing sunlight?"
A very weary nod.
"Damn, that's rough. Will they grow back again?"
Pause. Nod. Tiptoe point. Three taps on wrist. Shrug.
"Yes. When the sun makes three times—In three days' time?"
Nod. Wrist-tap. Hands clasped to belly. Disgusted shrug.