"Oh, yes. Of course, some people ought to know better beforehand, but some merely turn out to be worse at parenting than they or anyone else had expected."
"As a rule, yes, and a movement. Those may be primarily will-focusing mechanisms, however." He raises an eyebrow. "Air guns. Will we be shooting at wax busts mounted on victrolas? That didn't answer my question, though, and although I don't care about the mechanics, I do need the question of whether they're mechanical or use electricity answered. A clash of forces which, on a telephone line, merely leads to static might have a more dramatic effect if even fake firearms are involved."
About the derringer. Sorry I'm sporadic tonight. Should be feeling better by Wednesday if not by tomorrow.