[Disappointment, perhaps. Certainly, Alan is disappointed that the problem is not so easily amendable. Still, he can’t blame his program for that. At any rate, concern is at a much higher value.]

Okay, [Alan sighs, brow creased with worry.] Maybe you should tell me a little bit more about this “effect,” then. You said something about uncontrolled data draw; what kind of data did you mean?

[There's no judgment to the question—just that same intent focus lit by faint sparks of earnest anxiety. Alan wants to help. At the very least, he wants to know his program isn't in danger.]