1) The plants are very friendly :) "Friendly," really; they nip and snap at Lecther as he examines them, and may take a bite out of his fingers if he touches one. So long as they aren't attacked or injured, however, they remain a slight nuisance and nothing more.

2) There isn't anything particularly special about the gate. It's just old and rusted and covered in plant life.

3) The giggling noise echoes throughout the entire area, but also through Lecther's mind. . . and as soon as he turns to chase after it, he seems to be-- huh. No longer in the entryway? This can be the point where he finds himself separated from Ei! Instead, he finds himself staring down a long, dark hallway lit only by torches on the sides. There doesn't seem to be anything down this hallway other than shadows and blackness, but the giggling noise grows louder and louder the more he follows it. And it sounds almost. . . manic? Clown-like? Hmmm!

Eventually, the darkness opens up a little, and Lechter will find himself standing in front of a shadow stage with a figure behind it. The figure is clearly the owner of the giggling, and it welcomes Lechter to the show with a flourish and a bow! The figure will then proceed to tell AWFUL jokes. . . like, horribly punny knock-knock jokes, expecting Lecther to laugh and play along with the act. If Lecther plays along, the figure will be appeased! If he does not--