You know, I don't recall if it was between my first viewing and second, or between my last viewing in theater and first at home, but at some point I actually had it in my head somehow that the Orellana's Cradle scene actually did end with "What is this thing?" It seems feasible. The only real challenge I can see is making the musical transition smooth. I don't recall precisely what the music is doing. If you can somehow get the music to go from wherever it is to the resolving chord that plays over them walking up the steps, then you should be in business.

I personally don't mind the remainder of the scene (I'm really curious as to what the scene was like with the ground collapsing beneath them), but I think this cut could be feasible, and fairly smooth.