What's up with Ira and his sudden online role-playing addiction?
Ira is, to put it mildly, an unhappy person. He's unhappy with himself. He's unhappy with the world. So what better way to escape both than by reinventing himself as a benevolent mayor in a colorful (and customizable) new frontier?

Scott, of course, sees the problem immediately. But he can't muster up the strength or will to stage an intervention.

Does this untitled game really exist?
Not the one Ira is playing, but there are dozens of popular MMORPGs (Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games) out there, with countless addicted users.

Why does Ira warn Scott about the Kournikova virus?
Because he figured it was something Scott needed to know. Clearly Ira and Scott are living in two separate worlds.

Jean's obviously in a foul mood when she chats with Scott (pp. 315-316). What's the problem?
She dismisses the issue as "marital, not maternal," but in reality it's both. As she explains to Scott in Chapter 21, Neil takes Madison out every Saturday night, where the two of them spend hours basking and bonding in their mutual contempt for Jean. For understandable reasons, it drives Jean nuts. And it puts her in a desperate need to be around someone who appreciates her (i.e., Scott).

Jean seems convinced that Madison is in love with Scott. Is she right?
No. Jean admits later that she missed the boat on that one. Madison's devotion to Scott is strictly professional. But that doesn't mean the kid would approve of a Scott/Jean romance.

How can Scott believe that the woman he's been electronically canoodling with these past few days is Madison secretly posing as Jean?
He never says he believes it. He just says it's a fear. But he does a damn good job filling in all the details of that nightmare scenario. Face it. Scott's not one who trusts easily.

Is there really a device that lets deaf drivers know when a speeding emergency vehicle is nearby (p. 323)?
Yes, and it's really called an Emergency Response Indicator. You can get a brief description of it here. Frankly, I think it's damn cool.

Do places like Club Silence really exist?
There are dozens of Deaf clubs scattered throughout the world, but they may not be as funky or high-tech as Club Silence (which does not exist).

Why does Jean use the phrase "best feet forward" on page 326? Isn't it "best foot forward"?
Yes. Jean's just trying to be cute. Give her a break. She's having a bad night.

Why does Jean tell Scott that she doesn't want to have sex with him when it turns out she really does?
Because he isn't reacting well to her flirting, and she's backtracking to protect her pride. Did I mention she's having a bad night?

What's up with Scott and his recurring need to have unfulfilling sex with an unhappily married woman?
Because as Jean observed, Scott is dangerously afraid of establishing any kind of deeper connection. In fact, he's spent most of his adult life avoiding personal intimacy. But can you really blame him? When you live in a world of lies and spin and subtle persuasions, it's not so easy to put your faith in others.

Unfortunately for Scott, he's beginning to see the downside of being "feeling-impaired." And he's starting to choke on his very own nature.