['Pal.' There's a word Javert does not often hear applied to himself. It's almost inappropriately comical.]
Myself! What about? Male, middle-aged academy professor seeks working professional relations? [Careful, there, might start sounding like a first date.]--Hold on a moment.
[Javert successfully flags down one of the bartenders of the joint and orders another round for Phil. For himself, he requests no more than water with a wedge of lemon. He does not habitually drink liquor; the clearer he can keep his mind, the better, no matter how rare it is with the nature of his gifts. Once the bartender shuffles off to fulfill the order, he resumes a skeptical stare at Phil.]
What do you possibly want to know? Genuinely? [There is no ill intent in his tone. Instead, he is bland, conversational, perhaps mildly surprised at Phil's attempt for sociability with a man that has minimal social inclination or, hell, very little belonging in society at large.] Is it the behemoth in the room: some tarot, a little palmistry you want? Go on and ask it.
no subject
Myself! What about? Male, middle-aged academy professor seeks working professional relations? [Careful, there, might start sounding like a first date.]--Hold on a moment.
[Javert successfully flags down one of the bartenders of the joint and orders another round for Phil. For himself, he requests no more than water with a wedge of lemon. He does not habitually drink liquor; the clearer he can keep his mind, the better, no matter how rare it is with the nature of his gifts. Once the bartender shuffles off to fulfill the order, he resumes a skeptical stare at Phil.]
What do you possibly want to know? Genuinely? [There is no ill intent in his tone. Instead, he is bland, conversational, perhaps mildly surprised at Phil's attempt for sociability with a man that has minimal social inclination or, hell, very little belonging in society at large.] Is it the behemoth in the room: some tarot, a little palmistry you want? Go on and ask it.