"Well," Russell rationalizes in a mutter to himself, "I gave it a try. Couldn't puzzle this out alone."

There's a lot more he could do. Shout a bit. Knock on the mouse, and risk its body sounding quite loud and perturbed about being awoken that way. Leave - or at least leave temporarily. And the last option is the most appealing, at this point.

If unimpeded, he'll walk briskly back up the long tunnel toward the section the silent staring mice had congregated in, and ask them what they want done now.