Niles couldn't exactly vet any of this information for himself, but he thought it was interesting to hear Winchester's interpretation. So often — more than people realize even — they see themselves in the media they preferred to consume. Was it possible that Dean struggled with his own identity? He didn't look like he was wearing a mask, but then again, without something to compare against, Crane couldn't know for sure.

"In that case, I understand that Bruce Wayne is the mask," he added, thoughtfully. Pop culture characters and their various neuroses were a favorite topic of high school kids. In Niles' case, it was usually brought to him through the opinions and observations of budding armchair psychologists looking for a mentor's approval. For a grade, of course.

Crane looked thoughtful and then asked, "What is it that you do for a living, Dean? If you don't mind the imposition."