[The "to do" of pulling levers is easy to cleave to. It's action; it's momentum; it's helping without having to worry about the obvious solution to their problems.
But it's not difficult or time-consuming, which means they're very quickly back to the real concern with their only real solution to the pressing problem of not dying. The second Horatio catches hold of the first wooden rung, feet still firmly on the ground, his stomach gives a very unpleasant lurch.]
You first. I might--
[Is there a polite way to tell someone you don't want to vomit on them in a life-or-death situation? Maybe not. Hopefully the queasiness on his face as he stands aside is sufficient.]
no subject
But it's not difficult or time-consuming, which means they're very quickly back to the real concern with their only real solution to the pressing problem of not dying. The second Horatio catches hold of the first wooden rung, feet still firmly on the ground, his stomach gives a very unpleasant lurch.]
You first. I might--
[Is there a polite way to tell someone you don't want to vomit on them in a life-or-death situation? Maybe not. Hopefully the queasiness on his face as he stands aside is sufficient.]