So just what is this magical method of scrambling eggs that involves water and no butter and leaves the pan hard to clean?

After having this bit of arcana dangled before us by Skinner in Virtual Light and now by Mrs. Meisenhelter (of all people) in Spook Country, I request amplification from someone more knowledgable about cooking than I (which is pretty much everybody).

It can't just be adding water to the eggs and scrambling them, can it? Or can it?

Heat the pan. Drop the egg. Add a teaspoon or two of water. Cover. Use a little butter first and it's easier to clean than without butter.