baffle

The outside world has been a baffling place for a man who went into custody when Margaret Thatcher was prime minister and the internet was unheard of.

The S-shaped copper sculpture has baffled cryptography enthusiasts since its 1990 installation on the grounds of the CIA headquarters in Virginia, with three of its four messages deciphered so far.

"If we have this conversation in five years I'd be baffled if there wasn't a consensus that these are the two best footballers we've ever had."

So he begins to dream of another life entirely: a companion shaped like him, someone who might share his baffling immortality, his hunger, his hope.

But I can't express strongly enough how baffled some in government still are.